Comparative efficacy and safety of different drugs in patients with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to estimate the relative efficacy and safety of different biological agents (infliximab, canakinumab, baricitinib, anakinra, adalimumab, tofacitinib, tocilizumab, and rilonacept) compared with placebo for systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients, through a network meta-analysis. METHODS: Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched from database inception to July 2023 for randomized controlled trials comparing different biological agents (infliximab, canakinumab, baricitinib, anakinra, adalimumab, tofacitinib, tocilizumab, and rilonacept) or placebo directly or indirectly in JIA. Bayesian network meta-analyses were conducted. Data was extracted and analyzed by R with gemtc package. The treatment options were ranked using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) value. RESULTS: We identified 10 randomized controlled trials and analyzed 898 participants. Canakinumab (odds ratio 55.0, 95% credible intervals 2.4-67.0) was more effective than the placebo, and the difference was statistically significant. However, there was no statistical significance between other drugs versus placebo in terms of the modified ACRpedi30 (P > .05). The SUCRA shows that canakinumab ranked first (SUCRA, 86.9%), anakinra ranked second (SUCRA, 77.7%), adalimumab ranked third (SUCRA, 61.9%), and placebo ranked the last (SUCRA, 6.3%). Nevertheless, there were no notable discrepancies in the occurrence of adverse events, hepatic-related adverse events, infectious adverse event, serious adverse events, and serious infection following treatment with canakinumab, anakinra, tocilizumab, rilonacept, or the placebo. Based on the clustergram of modified ACRpedi30 and adverse events, canakinumab is suggested for JIA according to the surface under SUCRAs considering the symptom and adverse events simultaneously. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with JIA, canakinumab exhibited the highest likelihood of being the optimal treatment for achieving the modified ACRpedi30 response rate, and neither of the tested biological agents carried a significant risk of serious adverse events.

KAT8/SIRT7-mediated Fascin-K41 acetylation/deacetylation regulates tumor metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Fascin actin-bundling protein 1 (Fascin) is highly expressed in a variety of cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), working as an important oncogenic protein and promoting the migration and invasion of cancer cells by bundling F-actin to facilitate the formation of filopodia and invadopodia. However, it is not clear how exactly the function of Fascin is regulated by acetylation in cancer cells. Here, in ESCC cells, the histone acetyltransferase KAT8 catalyzed Fascin lysine 41 (K41) acetylation, to inhibit Fascin-mediated F-actin bundling and the formation of filopodia and invadopodia. Furthermore, NAD-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin (SIRT) 7-mediated deacetylation of Fascin-K41 enhances the formation of filopodia and invadopodia, which promotes the migration and invasion of ESCC cells. Clinically, the analysis of cancer and adjacent tissue samples from patients with ESCC showed that Fascin-K41 acetylation was lower in the cancer tissue of patients with lymph node metastasis than in that of patients without lymph node metastasis, and low levels of Fascin-K41 acetylation were associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with ESCC. Importantly, K41 acetylation significantly blocked NP-G2-044, one of the Fascin inhibitors currently being clinically evaluated, suggesting that NP-G2-044 may be more suitable for patients with low levels of Fascin-K41 acetylation, but not suitable for patients with high levels of Fascin-K41 acetylation. © 2024 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A comparative study on the features of breast sclerosing adenosis and invasive ductal carcinoma via ultrasound and establishment of a predictive nomogram.

Objective: To analyze the clinical and ultrasonic characteristics of breast sclerosing adenosis (SA) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), and construct a predictive nomogram for SA. Materials and methods: A total of 865 patients were recruited at the Second Hospital of Shandong University from January 2016 to November 2022. All patients underwent routine breast ultrasound examinations before surgery, and the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination following the operation. Ultrasonic features were recorded using the Breast Imaging Data and Reporting System (BI-RADS). Of the 865 patients, 203 (252 nodules) were diagnosed as SA and 662 (731 nodules) as IDC. They were randomly divided into a training set and a validation set at a ratio of 6:4. Lastly, the difference in clinical characteristics and ultrasonic features were comparatively analyzed. Result: There was a statistically significant difference in multiple clinical and ultrasonic features between SA and IDC (P<0.05). As age and lesion size increased, the probability of SA significantly decreased, with a cut-off value of 36 years old and 10 mm, respectively. In the logistic regression analysis of the training set, age, nodule size, menopausal status, clinical symptoms, palpability of lesions, margins, internal echo, color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) grading, and resistance index (RI) were statistically significant (P<0.05). These indicators were included in the static and dynamic nomogram model, which showed high predictive performance, calibration and clinical value in both the training and validation sets. Conclusion: SA should be suspected in asymptomatic young women, especially those younger than 36 years of age, who present with small-size lesions (especially less than 10 mm) with distinct margins, homogeneous internal echo, and lack of blood supply. The nomogram model can provide a more convenient tool for clinicians.

Role of cassava CC-type glutaredoxin MeGRXC3 in regulating sensitivity to mannitol-induced osmotic stress dependent on its nuclear activity.

BACKGROUND: We previously identified six drought-inducible CC-type glutaredoxins in cassava cultivars, however, less is known about their potential role in the molecular mechanism by which cassava adapted to abiotic stress. RESULTS: Herein, we investigate one of cassava drought-responsive CC-type glutaredoxins, namely MeGRXC3, that involved in regulation of mannitol-induced inhibition on seed germination and seedling growth in transgenic Arabidopsis. MeGRXC3 overexpression up-regulates several stress-related transcription factor genes, such as PDF1.2, ERF6, ORA59, DREB2A, WRKY40, and WRKY53 in Arabidopsis. Protein interaction assays show that MeGRXC3 interacts with Arabidopsis TGA2 and TGA5 in the nucleus. Eliminated nuclear localization of MeGRXC3 failed to result mannitol-induced inhibition of seed germination and seedling growth in transgenic Arabidopsis. Mutation analysis of MeGRXC3 indicates the importance of conserved motifs for its transactivation activity in yeast. Additionally, these motifs are also indispensable for its functionality in regulating mannitol-induced inhibition of seed germination and enhancement of the stress-related transcription factors in transgenic Arabidopsis. CONCLUSIONS: MeGRXC3 overexpression confers mannitol sensitivity in transgenic Arabidopsis possibly through interaction with TGA2/5 in the nucleus, and nuclear activity of MeGRXC3 is required for its function.

The dominant microbial metabolic pathway of the petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil of shale gas field: Carbon fixation instead of CO2 emissions.

In shale gas mining areas, indigenous microorganisms degrade organic pollutants such as petroleum hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) through aerobic metabolism. A large quantity of CO2 emissions will exacerbate the "Greenhouse effect". Based on the clean sieved soil and oil-based drilling fluid in the shale gas mining area, this experiment set three concentration gradients (3523 ± 159 mg/kg, 8715 ± 820 mg/kg and 22,031 ± 1533 mg/kg) to treat the soil, and each group was disposed for the same amount of time (63 days). By analyzing the dynamic changes of microbial diversity and the abundance of key functional genes for carbon fixation, the impact of petroleum hydrocarbons on carbon fixation potential was discovered, and the natural attenuation law of petroleum hydrocarbons in contaminated soil was explored. It provided the scientific research basis of ecology for the carbon cycle, carbon allocation, and carbon fixation in microbial remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil. The results obtained indicated the following: i) The removal rate of petroleum hydrocarbons under high-concentration pollution (45.33 ± 3.90%) was significantly lower than low and medium-concentration pollution. The TPH concentration removal rate of each group was the largest in the early stage of culture (1-5d), and there was no significant correlation between the TPH content and the community composition (R2 = 0.0736, P > 0.05). ii) Composition and function of Carbon Fixation associated microbiota were assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing and PICRUSt (phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states) analysis. The main carbon fixation pathway in this study is the reductive citric acid cycle, because there was no shortage of enzymes that can affect subsequent reactions.

Ultrasound Findings to Predict Risk of Recurrence in Pediatric Intussusception After Air Enema Reduction.

OBJECTIVES: Intussusception is one of the most common abdominal emergencies in early children. Intussusception recurs in 8-20% of children after successful nonoperative reduction. The aim of this study was to explore the ultrasound findings to predict risk of recurrence in pediatric intussusception after air enema reduction. METHODS: A total of 336 intussusception children were followed up for 1 year after received successful air enema reduction. They were divided into the recurrent group and the non-recurrent group. The differences of clinical characteristics, ultrasonic features, and laboratory tests were analyzed by univariate analyses and the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Sixty-five children with recurrent intussusception were identified. There were statistically significances in the diameter of the mass, in the presence or absence of enlarged lymph nodes out of the sleeve, and in the sleeve between recurrent and non-recurrent groups (P < .05). Other ultrasonic features, clinical characteristics, and blood parameters had no differences (P > .05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard model showed that the diameter of the mass and abdominal lymph nodes may be the risk factors of intussusception recurrence (HR = 1.395, 95% CI: 1.045~1.863 and HR = 2.078, 95% CI: 1.118~3.865, P < .05). The cut-off value of mass diameter was 2.55 cm, above which recurrence is more likely. CONCLUSIONS: Intussusception recurrence was prone with greater mass diameter (>2.55 cm) and enlarged abdominal lymph nodes. Although these ultrasound findings for recurrence do not necessarily reduce the rate of recurrence, it can predict the recurrent possibility, and help the emergency physicians to be more vigilant in these children and better counsel parents upon discharge.

P300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF)-mediated acetylation of Fascin at lysine 471 inhibits its actin-bundling activity and tumor metastasis in esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Fascin is crucial for cancer cell filopodium formation and tumor metastasis, and is functionally regulated by post-translational modifications. However, whether and how Fascin is regulated by acetylation remains unclear. This study explored the regulation of Fascin acetylation and its corresponding roles in filopodium formation and tumor metastasis. METHODS: Immunoprecipitation and glutathione-S-transferase pull-down assays were performed to examine the interaction between Fascin and acetyltransferase P300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF), and immunofluorescence was used to investigate their colocalization. An in vitro acetylation assay was performed to identify Fascin acetylation sites by using mass spectrometry. A specific antibody against acetylated Fascin was generated and used to detect the PCAF-mediated Fascin acetylation in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells using Western blotting by overexpressing and knocking down PCAF expression. An in vitro cell migration assay was performed, and a xenograft model was established to study in vivo tumor metastasis. Live-cell imaging and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching were used to evaluate the function and dynamics of acetylated Fascin in filopodium formation. The clinical significance of acetylated Fascin and PCAF in ESCC was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Fascin directly interacted and colocalized with PCAF in the cytoplasm and was acetylated at lysine 471 (K471) by PCAF. Using the specific anti-AcK471-Fascin antibody, Fascin was found to be acetylated in ESCC cells, and the acetylation level was consequently increased after PCAF overexpression and decreased after PCAF knockdown. Functionally, Fascin-K471 acetylation markedly suppressed in vitro ESCC cell migration and in vivo tumor metastasis, whereas Fascin-K471 deacetylation exhibited a potent oncogenic function. Moreover, Fascin-K471 acetylation reduced filopodial length and density, and lifespan of ESCC cells, while its deacetylation produced the opposite effect. In the filipodium shaft, K471-acetylated Fascin displayed rapid dynamic exchange, suggesting that it remained in its monomeric form owing to its weakened actin-bundling activity. Clinically, high levels of AcK471-Fascin in ESCC tissues were strongly associated with prolonged overall survival and disease-free survival of ESCC patients. CONCLUSIONS: Fascin interacts directly with PCAF and is acetylated at lysine 471 in ESCC cells. Fascin-K471 acetylation suppressed ESCC cell migration and tumor metastasis by reducing filopodium formation through the impairment of its actin-bundling activity.

Genistein regulates miR-21 to promote the apoptosis in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells / 药学学报

The research is aimed to investigate the effect of genistein (GEN) on the apoptosis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells and explore the pharmacological mechanism of GEN anti-atherosclerosis (AS). RAW264.7 cells were activated by LPS, the level of TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR, the expression of COX-2 and iNOS were detected by Western blot. RAW264.7 cells were pretreated with GEN for 2 h, and then incubated with LPS for 24 h. After that, CCK8 kit was used for the cell viability, Annexin V-FITC/PI kit for the apoptosis of cell. qRT-PCR was used to detect the level of CHOP, caspase-3 and miR-21. Western blot was used to detect the expression of CHOP and caspase-3. Results showed that LPS (1 000 ng·mL-1) increased the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2 and iNOS in RAW264.7 cells compared with that in control group. GEN inhibited the cell activity and the level of miR-21, promoted the expression of CHOP and caspase-3 in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. miR-21 up inhibited the expression of CHOP and caspase-3 in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells and this process was reversed by GEN treatment. miR-21 down promoted the expression of CHOP and caspase-3, which were further enhanced by GEN. These results indicate that GEN promotes the apoptosis of RAW264.7 cells activated by LPS through down regulating miR-21 and activating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway.

The histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat exerts anticancer effects on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells by inducing cell cycle arrest.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common malignancy without effective therapy. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) have been demonstrated as an emerging class of anticancer drugs for a range of haematological and solid tumours. However, the effect of HDACIs has not yet been investigated on ESCC cells. In this study, HDACIs were initially considered to have anticancer activity for ESCC, due to the high expression of HDAC genes in ESCC cell lines by analysing expression data of 27 ESCC cell lines from the Broad-Novartis Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia. Next, we used five ESCC cell lines and one normal immortalized esophageal epithelial cell line to screen three HDACIs, panobinostat (LBH589), vorinostat (SAHA), and trichostatin A (TSA), for the ability to inhibit growth. Here, we report that LBH589 more effectively suppressed cell proliferation of ESCC cell lines, in a dose-dependent manner, than TSA and SAHA, as well as had lower toxicity against the SHEE normal immortalized esophageal epithelial cell line. Further experiments indicated that LBH589 treatment significantly inhibited TP53 (mutated TP53) expression, both at the mRNA and protein level, and simultaneously increased p21 and decreased cyclin D1 expression. Taken together, we propose that LBH589 inhibits ESCC cell proliferation mainly through inducing cell cycle arrest by increasing p21 and decreasing cyclin D1 in a p53-independent manner. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: In this study, the antitumor activity of HDACIs LBH589, SAHA, and TSA on ESCC was characterized, with LBH589 displaying the most potent anti-proliferative activity while not harming normal immortalized esophageal epithelial cells. Furthermore, we propose that LBH589 exerts its anti-proliferative effect by inducing cell cycle arrest. The ability to specifically target cancer cells indicates therapeutic potential for use of LBH589 in the treatment of ESCC.

Fascin phosphorylation sites combine to regulate esophageal squamous cancer cell behavior.

Filopodia are dynamic membrane extensions generated by F-actin bundling and are involved in cancer cell migration, invasion and metastasis. Fascin is the crucial actin-bundling protein in filopodia, with phosphorylation at fascin serine 39 being well characterized to regulate fascin-mediated actin bundling in filopodia. However, increasing evidence indicates that fascin is phosphorylated at a number of sites. Whether phosphorylation at other sites also regulates fascin function is unknown. In this study, we show that four potential phosphorylation sites in fascin, specifically tyrosine 23, serine 38, serine 39 and serine 274, regulate cell behavior and filopodia formation in esophageal squamous cancer cells. Expression of non-phosphorylatable mutations at each of the four sites promoted anchorage-independent growth, cell motility and filopodia formation, whereas phosphomimetic mutations at each of these sites inhibited these cell behaviors, implying that fascin function in esophageal squamous cancer is regulated by fascin phosphorylation at multiple sites. Furthermore, phosphorylation at S38 and S39 cooperatively regulated cell behavior and filopodia formation, with dual dephosphorylation at both S38 and S39 residues maximally enhancing cell proliferation, migration and filopodia formation, and phosphorylation at any of the two phosphorylatable sites resulting in reduced enhancement. Taken together, our results reveal that phosphorylation at fascin amino acids Y23, S38, S39 and S274, in combination, downregulates the extent of anchorage-independent growth, cell migration and filopodia formation in esophageal squamous cancer cells.

Contact and Repellant Activities of Zerumbone and Its Analogues from the Essential Oil of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith against Lasioderma serricorne.

The contact toxicity and repellent activities of the essential oil extracted from the rhizomes of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith (Zingiberaceae) was evaluated against cigarette beetles (Lasioderma serricorne). The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation was investigated by GC-FID and GC-MS. The main constituents of the essential oil were zerumbone (40.2%), α-caryophyllene (8.6%), humulene epoxide II (7.3%), camphene (5.9%) and fenchene (4.7%). Zerumbone and its analogues totally are accounting for 60.3% of the essential oil. It was found that the essential oil possessed contact toxicity against L. serricorne adults with a LD50 value of 48.3 µg/adult. α-Caryophyllene (LD50 = 13.1 µg/adult) exhibited stronger contact toxicity against L. serricorne than humulene oxide (LD50 = 31.2 µg/adult), ß-caryophyllene (LD50 = 35.5 µg/adult) and zerumbone (LD50 = 42.4 µg/adult). Moreover, α-caryophyllene possessed strong repellent activity (Class IV and V, respectively) against the beetles at 78.63 nL/cm2, after 2 and 4 h treatment. The results indicate that zerumbone and its analogues might be developed into natural insecticides or repellents for control of cigarette beetles, but their bioactivities are affected by their structures.

[Temporal and spacial expression of LIM mineralization protein 1 during rat pulp injury and reparation].

PURPOSE: To investigate the expression and localization of LIM mineralization protein 1(LMP-1) during rat pulp injury and reparation. METHODS: Dental pulp injury models were established in maxillary first molars on one side of 12 Wistar rats, the isonym healthy teeth on the opposite side were used as the controls. Immunohistochemistry technique was used to observe the expression of LMP-1 at 1, 3 and 7 day after pulp injury. The results of staining were analyzed by Image-Pro Plus 6.0 and SPSS 17.0 software package. RESULTS: LMP-1 was not detected in normal rat dental pulp. Positive staining of LMP-1 was found in odontoblasts and some dental pulp cells at 1 day after pulp injury. The expression of LMP-1 was converged at cell proliferation zone under the injury site at 3 and 7 day after injury. CONCLUSIONS: LMP-1 might play a role in the dental pulp cell proliferation and differentiation and reparative dentin formation during pulp injury and reparation.

Chemical Compositions and Insecticidal Activities of Alpinia kwangsiensis Essential Oil against Lasioderma serricorne.

The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from Alpinia kwangsiensis rhizomes was investigated by GC-MS. A total of 31 components representing 92.45% of the oil were identified and the main compounds in the oil were found to be camphor (17.59%), eucalyptol (15.16%), ß-pinene (11.15%) and α-pinene (10.50%). These four compounds were subsequently isolated and the essential oil and four isolated compounds exhibited potent insecticidal activity against Lasioderma serricorne adults. During the assay, it was shown that the essential oil exhibited both potential contact (LD50 = of 24.59 µg/adult) and fumigant (LC50 = of 9.91 mg/L air) toxicity against Lasioderma serricorne. The study revealed that the insecticidal activity of the essential oil can be attributed to the synergistic effects of its diverse major components, which indicates that oil of Alpinia kwangsiensis and its isolated compounds have potential to be developed into natural insecticides to control insects in stored grains and traditional Chinese medicinal materials.

Treatment of degloving injury involving multiple fingers with combined abdominal superficial fascial flap, dorsalis pedis flap, dorsal toe flap, and toe-web flap.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to summarize the treatment of degloving injury involving multiple fingers using combined abdominal superficial fascial flap, dorsalis pedis flap, dorsal toe flap, and toe-web flap. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Each degloved finger was debrided under microscopic guidance and embedded in the superficial layer of the abdominal fascia. The abdominal skin was sutured to the skin on the back and side of the hand to promote circumferential healing. After removal, the only remaining injured region was on the flexor surface, and this was repaired by multiple dorsal toe flaps, toe-web flaps, and dorsalis pedis flaps to provide blood vessels and sensory nerves. All fingers had proper flap thickness 3-6 months after surgery, and required only lateral Z-plasty modification with web deepening and widening to narrow the fingers and extend their relative length. RESULTS: We completed flap-graft and finger narrowing for 25 fingers in eight patients. Abdominal skin flaps and dorsal toe flaps were grafted, and resulted in both firmness and softness, providing finger flexibility. The dorsal toe flap provided good blood circulation and sensory nerves, and was used to cover the finger-flexor surface to regain sensation and stability when holding objects. During the 1-8 years of follow-up, sensation on the finger-flexor side recovered to the S3-4 level, and patient satisfaction based on the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire was 4-5. Flap ulcers or bone/tendon necrosis were not observed. CONCLUSION: Treatment of degloving injury involving multiple fingers with combined abdominal superficial fascial flap, dorsalis pedis flap, dorsal toe flap, and toe-web flap was effective and reliable.

[Effects of Aptamer-siRNA Nucleic Acid Compound on Growth and Apoptosis in Myeloid Leukemia Cell Line K562].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of aptamer-siRNA nucleic acid compound on growth and apoptosis in myeloid leukemia cell line K562. METHODS: the changes of cellular morphology and structure were observed by using fluorescence microscope, laser confocal microscope, JEM-4000EX transmission electron microscopy; MTT assay were performed to evaluate the sensibility of K562 cells to aptamer-siRNA compound, the apoptosis was detected by DNA gel electro-phoresis. RESULTS: The remarkably changes of morphology and structure of K562 cells treated with 200 µmol/L aptamer-siRNA were observed under fluorescence microscopy and electromicroscopy. As compared with control, the aptamer-siRNA compound showed more inhibitory effect on K562 cells and there was significant difference (P<0.05). The MTT assay showed that the IC50 value of aptamer-siRNA compound for K562 cells was 150 µmol/L. According to agarose gel electrophoresis observation, when the aptamer-siRNA compound showed effect on K562 cells, the typical DNA lader could be observed. CONCLUSION: The aptamer-siRNA compound can significantly induce K562 cell apoptosis, and provide reference for gene therapy of patients with chronic myelocytic lenkemia.

Contact toxicity and repellency of the essential oil of Liriope muscari (DECN.) bailey against three insect tobacco storage pests.

In order to find and develop new botanical pesticides against tobacco storage pests, bioactivity screening was performed. The essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of Liriope muscari was investigated by GC/MS and GC/FID. A total of 14 components representing 96.12% of the oil were identified and the main compounds in the oil were found to be methyl eugenol (42.15%) and safrole (17.15%), followed by myristicin (14.18%) and 3,5-dimethoxytoluene (10.60%). After screening, the essential oil exhibit potential insecticidal activity. In the progress of assay, it showed that the essential oil exhibited potent contact toxicity against Tribolium castaneum, Lasioderma serricorne and Liposcelis bostrychophila adults, with LD50 values of 13.36, 11.28 µg/adult and 21.37 µg/cm2, respectively. The essential oil also exhibited strong repellency against the three stored product insects. At the same concentrations, the essential oil was more repellent to T. castaneum than to L. serricorne adults. The results indicate that the essential oil of Liriope muscari has potential to be developed into a natural insecticide or repellent for controlling insects in stored tobacco and traditional Chinese medicinal materials.

Repellent Constituents of essential oil from Citrus wilsonii stem barks against Tribolium castaneum.

The essential oil obtained from Citrus wilsonii Tanaka stem barks with hydrodistillation was investigated by GC-FID and GC-MS. The main components of the essential oil were identified to be nerol acetate (44.5%), nerol (13.6%), citronellyl propionate (13.5%) and α-terpineol (3.6%). Among them, the four active constituents, predicted with a bioactivity-test, were isolated and identified as nerolacetate, nerol, citronellyl propionate and α-terpineol. It was found that the essential oil of C. wilsonii stem barks possessed strong repellency (86% and 92%, respectively, at 78.6 nL/cm2, after 2 and 4 h treatment) against Tribolium castaneum adults. Repellency of the four active compounds was also determined. Nerolacetate, nerol, citronellyl propionate and α-terpineol were strongly repellent (100%, 100%, 90% and 96%, respectively, at 15.7 nL/cm2, after 2h treatment) against T. castaneum. Nerol exhibited the same level of repellency as the positive control, DEET. The results indicate that the essential oil of C. wilsonii stem barks and its active compounds have the potential to be developed as natural repellents for control of T. castaneum.

[Purification of superoxide dismutase from blood erythrocyte by nano magnetic chitosan microspheres].

Nano magnetic microspheres prepared by chitosan and poly acylic acid were applied to purifying superoxide dismutase from blood erythrocyte. Chitosan-polyacyilc acid graft copolymer was synthesized by free radical graft copolymerization with potassium persulfate as inititator. To prepare Fe3O4 magnetic fluids with chemical coprecipitation, chitosan-polyacylic nano magnetic microspheres were prepared with glutaraldehyde as crosslinking agent. Structure of nano magnetic microspheres was detected by FT-IR spectrometer. Particle size and morphology were characterized by JEM-4000EX technology. Chitosan-polyacylic nanometer microspheres have good paticle cize distribution, magnetic responsiveness and protein adsoption. Activity, product yield and activity recovery of SOD after purification reached 6 727 U/mg, 21.1%, and 85.7% respectively. Purification of blood superoxide dismutase by chistosan-polyacylic acid microspheres has its renewable and feasible nature.

[Evaluation of the cavity cleaning of ultrasonic instruments and slow-speed handpiece in posterior teeth root-end preparation].

PURPOSE: To compare the cleanliness of root end preparations by using ultrasonic instrumentation and slow-speed handpiece. METHODS: Thirty-two mesial roots of the first mandibular molars with two canals and mature root apices were assigned randomly to 2 groups, each group had 16 teeth. The root-end preparations were made respectively using ultrasonic diamond tip Berutti and NiTi tip RE2 and slow-speed handpiece with No.2 round bur. Root end cavities were examined under scanning electron microscope for further evaluation of the superficial debris and smear layer of the root end preparations. SPSS 13.0 software package was used for Kruskal Wallis test. RESULTS: Ultrasonic preparation had significantly less superficial debris and smear layer than slow-speed handpiece preparation (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonic instrument creates cleaner surfaces for root end cavities than slow-speed handpiece preparation in posterior teeth root end preparation.

[A comparative study of split-root and medial resistance removal in extraction of medially impacted tooth].

PURPOSE: To compare the operating time, root fracture and postoperative complications between split-root extraction and medial resistance removal in extraction of mandibular small-angle impacted third molars, to evaluate the advantages of split-root extraction in medially impacted tooth extraction. METHODS: Forty male patients with bilaterally mandibular medial small-angle impacted third molars, having multiple roots in panoramic films, were selected. The impacted teeth on one side were extracted by using split-root method, while the similar impacted teeth on the other side were extracted by using medial resistance removal method. The operating time, root fracture, postoperative pain, facial edema, and mouth opening were recorded. SPSS11.5 software package was used and paired t test was performed to analyze the data. RESULTS: There were significant differences in operating time and root fracture between the two methods (P<0.05). In the split-root group, the operating time was shorter and root fracture were less. After 24 hours, facial edema, limited mouth opening, and pain of the split-root group was less severe than that of the medial resistance removal group, differences were significant(P<0.05). After 72 hours, limited mouth opening of the split-root group was milder than that of the resistance removal group, the difference was significant (P<0.05). After 120 hours, there was no significant difference of any complications between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In extraction of mandibular medial small-angle impacted third molars with multiple roots, the operating time of split-root extraction is shorter. The root fracture possibility of split-root extraction is smaller, and postoperative complications are less common.