Knowledge Mapping of Cowden Syndrome: a Bibliometric Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge structure and research hotspots of Cowden syndrome via bibliometrics. METHODS: The articles and reviews related to Cowden syndrome were included from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. VOSviewer, CiteSpace and GraphPad Prism were used to conduct the bibliometric analysis. RESULTS: The number of papers focusing on Cowden syndrome was relatively low initially but increased rapidly from 1997 to 1999, and then maintained small-scale fluctuation. A total of 1,557 papers from 65 countries/regions and 1,762 institutions were identified. The USA was the most productive country, and Ohio State University was the most productive institution. In terms of the number of publications, Human Molecular Genetics ranked first, and Cancer Research was the most frequently cited journal. Eng was the most productive author, and Liaw was the most co-cited author. Phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN), germline mutations, gene, cancer, mutations, tumour suppressor gene and breast were high-frequency key words in this field. CONCLUSION: This study was the first comprehensive bibliometric overview of the current state and development of Cowden disease. The mutation of PTEN and associated cancers, especially breast, thyroid and endometrial cancer, could be the focus of future research in this field.

[Characteristics and Sources of VOCs at Different Ozone Concentration Levels in Tianjin].

To further study the effect of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on ozone pollution, the characteristics and sources of VOCs at different ozone (O3) concentration levels were analyzed, using high-resolution online monitoring data obtained from Tianjin in the summer of 2019. Results showed that VOCs concentrations were 32.94, 38.10, 42.41, and 47.12 µg ·m-3, when the O3 concentration levels were categorized as excellent, good, light pollution, and moderate pollution, respectively. VOCs were composed of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and aromatics, which accounted for 61.72%-63.36%, 14.96%-15.51%, 2.73%-4.13%, and 18.53%-19.10%, respectively, of VOCs concentrations at different O3 concentration levels. Among them, the proportion of alkanes was slightly higher when O3 concentration was categorized as good or light pollution, alkenes and alkynes accounted for the highest proportion when O3 concentration was excellent, and the proportion of aromatics was highest during periods of moderate pollution. The main VOCs species were propane, ethane, ethylene, toluent, n-butane, isopentane, m/p-xylene, propylene, acetylene, n-hexane, isobutene, benzene, n-pentane, isoprene, and 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene. The concentration percentage of isopentane, n-pentane, benzene, ethylene, propylene, n-butane, and isobutane increased gradually as O3 concentration increased. Significant increases in isoprene and 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene were observed during periods of light and moderate pollution. Alkenes and aromatics had higher ozone formation potential (OFP), and the contribution of alkenes to OFP declined as the O3 level rose, whereas that of aromatics increased. Ethylene, propylene, m/p-xylene, 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene, toluene, isoprene, trans-2-butene, and cis-2-pentene were the key species for O3 generation, and the contribution ratio of 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene, isoprene, propylene, and ethylene to OFP increased significantly during light or moderate O3 pollution. Positive matrix factorization was applied to estimate the source contributions of VOCs. Automobile exhaust, solvent usage, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)/gasoline evaporation, combustion, petrochemical industrial emissions, natural sources, and other industrial emissions were identified as major sources of VOCs in summer. As O3 concentration level rose, the contribution percentage of automobile exhaust, LPG/gasoline evaporation, petrochemical industrial emissions, and natural sources increased gradually, whereas the contribution of combustion and other industrial emissions decreased overall. The contribution of solvent usage was lower when O3 levels indicated light or moderate pollution than when it was good.

Smoking increases oral mucosa susceptibility to Candida albicans infection via the Nrf2 pathway: In vitro and animal studies.

Smoking and Candida albicans (C. albicans) infection are risk factors for many oral diseases. Several studies have reported a close relationship between smoking and the occurrence of C. albicans infection. However, the exact underlying mechanism of this relationship remains unclear. We established a rat infection model and a C. albicans-Leuk1 epithelial cell co-culture model with and without smoke exposure to investigate the mechanism by which smoking contributes to C. albicans infection. Oral mucosa samples from healthy individuals and patients with oral leucoplakia were also analysed according to their smoking status. Our results indicated that smoking induced oxidative stress and redox dysfunction in the oral mucosa. Smoking-induced Nrf2 negatively regulated the NLRP3 inflammasome, impaired the oral mucosal defence response and increased the oral mucosa susceptibility to C. albicans. The results suggest that the Nrf2 pathway could be involved in the pathogenesis of oral diseases by mediating an antioxidative response to cigarette smoke exposure and suppressing host immunity against C. albicans.

Relationship between canal morphology and isthmus in mesio-buccal roots of maxillary first molars in 9- to 12-year-old children: An in-vivo cone-beam computed tomography analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to analysis the distribution of root canal isthmuses (RCIs), and its relationship with canal morphology in the mesio-buccal roots of maxillary first molars in children aged 9-12 in a Chinese sub-population. METHODS: 494 healthy, untreated maxillary first molars with fully developed mesio-buccal roots were examined. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were acquired as part of diagnosis and treatment plannings unrelated to the present study. The images were evaluated to identify the canal morphology of mesio-buccal roots according to Vertucci's classification. A map-reading strategy was used to identify RCIs. RESULTS: In mesio-buccal roots, the most common canal morphology was type Ⅳ (38.5 %). The frequency of type I (1.6 %) was much lower than adults. RCIs were found in 92.5 % mesio-buccal roots. The RCIs which began in the cervical third and ended in the middle third (CT-MT) (31.0 %) had the highest frequency. In type III, the RCIs which began and ended in the middle third (MT-MT) (30.3 %) were most common. For type V, 30.8 % RCIs began in the cervical third and ended in the apical third (CT-AT). No significant differences were found between sexes and sides (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For children aged 9-12, the frequency of type I canals was much lower in mesio-buccal roots of maxillary permanent first molars, while the frequency of RCIs was higher than adults, especially in the apical third. The distribution of RCIs had its own characteristics in each canal type, closely related to the structures.

Effects of active and passive smoking on salivary cytokines levels in rats: A pilot study.

Cigarette smoking is an established risk factor for some oral diseases. As an essential fluid in the oral cavity, saliva is crucial to maintain oral health. Relative to active smoking, there are very few studies assessing the effect of passive smoking on salivary cytokines levels. In the present study, we established the rat models by the means of the intraoral cigarette smoking or whole body cigarette smoke exposure to simulate human active or passive smoking, respectively. The effects of active or passive smoking on salivary cytokines levels were assessed by using ProcartaPlex multiplex immunoassays. The results of the current study indicated that both active and passive smoking diminished the body weights of rats and increased the levels of some blood counts. Intriguingly, active smoking enhanced the salivary levels of IL-6 and IL-12 p70 and passive smoking elevated the salivary IL-6 level. Moreover, active smoking appeared to have a more prominent activation effect on the salivary IL-6 level. It was noted that active or passive smoking had no significant effect on the salivary IFN-γ level. Active or passive smoking could have potential effects on the salivary levels of some pro-inflammatory cytokines.

An Update on the Evolution of Glucosyltransferase (Gtf) Genes in Streptococcus.

In many caries-promoting Streptococcus species, glucosyltransferases (Gtfs) are recognized as key enzymes contributing to the modification of biofilm structures, disruption of homeostasis of healthy microbiota community and induction of caries development. It is therefore of great interest to investigate how Gtf genes have evolved in Streptococcus. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive survey of Gtf genes among 872 streptococci genomes of 37 species and identified Gtf genes from 364 genomes of 18 species. To clarify the relationships of these Gtf genes, 45 representative sequences were used for phylogenic analysis, which revealed two clear clades. Clade I included 12 Gtf genes from nine caries-promoting species of the Mutans and Downei groups, which produce enzymes known to synthesize sticky, water-insoluble glucans (WIG) that are critical for modifying biofilm structures. Clade II primarily contained Gtf genes responsible for synthesizing water-soluble glucans (WSG) from all 18 species, and this clade further diverged into three subclades (IIA, IIB, and IIC). An analysis of 16 pairs of duplicated Gtf genes revealed high divergence levels at the C-terminal repeat regions, with ratios of the non-synonymous substitution rate (dN) to synonymous substitution rate (dS) ranging from 0.60 to 1.03, indicating an overall relaxed constraint in this region. However, among the clade I Gtf genes, some individual repeat units possessed strong functional constraints by the same criterion. Structural variations in the repeat regions were also observed, with detection of deletions or recent duplications of individual repeat units. Overall, by establishing an updated phylogeny and further elucidating their evolutionary patterns, this work enabled us to gain a greater understanding of the origination and divergence of Gtf genes in Streptococcus.

Mystery behind labial and oral melanotic macules: Clinical, dermoscopic and pathological aspects of Laugier-Hunziker syndrome.

Labial and oral melanotic macules are commonly encountered in a broad range of conditions ranging from physiologic pigmentation to a sign of an underlying life-threatening disease. Although Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) shares some features of labial and oral pigmentation with a variety of conditions, it is a benign and acquired condition, frequently associated with longitudinal melanonychia. Herein, the demographic, clinical, dermoscopic, and pathological aspects of LHS were reviewed comprehensively. The important differential diagnoses of mucocutaneous and nail pigmentation are provided. An accurate diagnosis is crucial to design a reasonable medical strategy, including management options, malignant transformation surveillance, and psychological support. It is important that clinicians conduct long-term follow-up and surveillance due to the potential risks of malignant transformation and local severe complications in some conditions.

[Effects of end time of night feeding on the growth and development of infants/toddlers].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of end time of night feeding on body height, body weight, nutritional status, and prevalence rate of dental caries in children at the age of 30 months. METHODS: A total of 416 children who were born from January 2014 to September 2015 and had completed a physical examination as required were enrolled. During the physical examination performed at the age of 30 months, the comprehensive child care record and a self-made questionnaire were used. The children who continued to receive night feeding after the age of 6 months were enrolled as study group (n=269), and those for whom night feeding was ended at the age of 6 months were enrolled as control group (n=147). The two groups were compared in terms of body height, body weight, incidence rate of overweight/obesity, and prevalence rate of dental caries at the age of 30 months. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the study group had a significantly lower body height (92.4±3.0 cm vs 93.3±2.8 cm; P<0.05), a significantly higher incidence rate of overweight/obesity (23.8% vs 12.2%; P<0.05), and a significantly higher prevalence rate of dental caries (14.9% vs 7.5%; P<0.05) at the age of 30 months. CONCLUSIONS: Night feeding continued after the age of 6 months can affect the growth and development of infants/toddlers, cause overnutrition, and increase the prevalence rate of dental caries.

[Assessment of mental health status and plasma catecholamine levels in patients with recurrent aphthous ulcer].

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between mental health and recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU), and to explore the change of plasma catecholamine level in RAU patients. METHODS: Thirty RAU patients treated in Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University from February 2016 to August 2016 were selected as the experimental group, and 30 healthy people with matched age and gender were selected as the control group. Patients in both groups were asked to fill in the psychological scales for researchers to analyze their mental state, including Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). Whole blood samples were taken from the selected subjects around 9 am to 10 am. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to analyze the plasma catecholamine level. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 software package. RESULTS: The results of SAS and SDS showed that the standard scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.01), analysis of plasma catecholamine level showed that adrenaline level in the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.01). Analysis of the plasma adrenaline level and standard scores of both psychological scales showed that they had significant correlation. CONCLUSIONS: There is a close relationship between the development of RAU and the mental state of patients. Meanwhile, plasma adrenaline level significantly increases in patients with RAU.

Frequencies of abnormal humoral and cellular immune component levels in peripheral blood of patients with recurrent aphthous ulceration.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU) has an incidence of approximately 20% in general population. However, its exact cause remains unknown. Increasing evidence suggests that immunologic mechanisms may play crucial roles in the etiology of this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The peripheral blood samples were obtained from 85 patients with RAU during acute phase and 87 healthy controls. The serum levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, C3 and C4 were measured by immunoturbidimetry. In addition, the serum IgE levels were measured by electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay. Furthermore, the percentages of B, T, CD4+ T, CD8+ T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells in peripheral blood were determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Our findings showed that the serum IgG, IgA, IgE, C3 and C4 levels of RAU patients were significantly higher than those of healthy controls. The percentages of CD4+ T cells and B cells in peripheral blood of RAU patients were significantly decreased, whereas the percentages of CD8+ T cells and NK cells of RAU patients were remarkably increased. Our results indicated that the IgG level was elevated in 18 patients (21.2%) and that the IgE level was increased in 21 patients (24.7%). Our results also showed that the frequency of abnormal IgG or IgE levels were significantly correlated with that of abnormal CD8+ T cell percentage in RAU patients. CONCLUSION: The levels of both humoral and cellular immune components could be altered in RAU. The relationship between humoral and cellular immune may be potentially important immunologic aspects involved in the pathogenesis of RAU.

[Alteration of Th17 cells, immunoglobins and complements levels in peripheral blood of patients with refractory recurrent aphthous ulcer].

PURPOSE: To observe the levels of Th17 cells, immunoglobins and complements in peripheral blood of patients with refractory recurrent aphthous ulcer (refractory RAU) patients. METHODS: Totally, 30 patients with refractory RAU and 21 healthy controls were enrolled into this study. Flow cytometry was performed to determine the frequency of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood. Immune scatter turbidimetry was adopted to measure the levels of IgA, IgG, IgM, IgE, C3 and C4 in the peripheral blood. Meanwhile, the correlations between the frequency of Th17 cells and the levels of immunoglobins or complements were analyzed. SPSS17.0 software package was used to analyze the date. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the percentage of Th17 cells (CD3+CD8-IL17+) in all CD4+T cells was significantly increased in the refractory RAU group (P<0.01). Similarly, the levels of IgG, IgA, IgE in the refractory RAU group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05),but there was no significant difference in the levels of IgM, C3 and C4 between the refractory RAU group and control group. There was negative correlation between the frequency of Th17 cells and the level of IgA (r=-0.477, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The levels of Th17 cells, immunoglobins and complements in refractory RAU patients are significantly different from healthy human, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of refractory RAU. There may be some relationship between Th17 cells and the change of humoral immunity in refractory RAU.

Cigarette Smoke Modulates NOD1 Signal Pathway and Human ß Defensins Expression in Human Oral Mucosa.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nucleotide binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1) signal pathway and human ß defensins (hBDs) play crucial roles in innate immune. Cigarette smoke has been confirmed to dampen innate immune in some human tissues, such as oral mucosa. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential effects of smoking on NOD1 signaling and hBDs expression in oral mucosa. METHODS: Tissue specimens of normal oral mucosa were collected from donors undergoing routine surgical treatment. All 20 participants were classified equally as two groups: non-smokers and smokers. By using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, we investigated differential expression of crucial molecules in NOD1 signal pathway, hBD-1, -2, and -3 in oral mucosa tissues between non-smokers and smokers. Immortalized human oral mucosal epithelial (Leuk-1) cells were treated with various concentrations of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) for 24h. Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays were performed to study CSE-induced alteration of protein expression. Leuk-1 cells were treated with 4% CSE, iE-DAP (NOD1 agonist), CSE + iE-DAP, BAY 11-7082 (NF-κB inhibitor), 4% CSE + BAY 11-7082, respectively. Real-time PCR and ELISA were performed to detect the mRNA levels and secretion of hBD-1, -2, and -3, respectively. RESULTS: The levels of NOD1, NF-κB, hBD-1 and hBD-3 significantly reduced in oral mucosa tissues of smokers compared with non-smokers. The levels of RIP2 (receptor-interacting protein 2), phospho-NF-κB (P-NF-κB) and hBD-2 remarkably enhanced in oral mucosal tissues of smokers. CSE treatment suppressed NOD1 and NF-κB expression and activated RIP2 and P-NF-κB expression in Leuk-1 cells. The mRNA and secretory levels of hBD-1 and -3 were down-regulated by CSE, while the mRNA and secretory level of hBD-2 were up-regulated by CSE. The iE-DAP or BAY 11-7082 treatment reversed the regulatory effects of CSE on levels of hBDs. CONCLUSION: The present study indicated that cigarette smoke could potentially modulate the expression of crucial molecules of NOD1 signal pathway and hBDs in human oral mucosal epithelium. NOD1 signal pathway could play an important role in the regulatory effects of CSE on hBDs levels in oral mucosal epithelial cells.

Effects of whole cigarette smoke on human beta defensins expression and secretion by oral mucosal epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoke a recognized risk factor for many systemic diseases and also oral diseases. Human beta defensins (HBDs), a group of important antimicrobial peptides expressed by the epithelium, are crucial for local defense and tissue homeostasis of oral cavity. The aim of this study was to evaluate potential effects of whole cigarette smoke (WCS) exposure on the expression and secretion of HBDs by oral mucosal epithelial cells. METHODS: Immortalized human oral mucosal epithelial (Leuk-1) cells were exposed to WCS for various time periods. HBD-1, -2 and -3 expression and subcellular localization were detected by real time qPCR, immunofluorescence assay and confocal microscopy. According to the relative fluorescent intensity, the expression levels of HBD-1, -2 and -3 were evaluated by digital image analysis system. The alteration of HBD-1, -2 and -3 secretion levels was measured by the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. RESULTS: WCS exposure remarkably attenuated HBD-1 expression and secretion while clearly enhanced HBD-2, -3 expression levels and HBD-2 secretion by Leuk-l cells. It appeared that there was no significant effect of WCS exposure on HBD-3 secretion. CONCLUSIONS: WCS exposure could modulate expression and secretion of HBDs by oral mucosal epithelial cells, establishing a link between cigarette smoke and abnormal levels of antimicrobial peptides. The present results may give a new perspective to investigate smoking-related local defense suppression and oral disease occurrence.

The biomechanical role of periodontal ligament in bonded and replanted vertically fractured teeth under cyclic biting forces.

After teeth are replanted, there are two possible healing responses: periodontal ligament healing or ankylosis with subsequent replacement resorption. The purpose of this study was to compare the fatigue resistance of vertically fractured teeth after bonding the fragments under conditions simulating both healing modes. Thirty-two human premolars were vertically fractured and the fragments were bonded together with Super-Bond C&B. They were then randomly distributed into four groups (BP, CP, CA, BA). The BP and CP groups were used to investigate the periodontal ligament healing mode whilst the BA and CA groups simulated ankylosis. All teeth had root canal treatment performed. Metal crowns were constructed for the CP and CA groups. The BP and BA groups only had composite resin restorations in the access cavities. All specimens were subjected to a 260 N load at 4 Hz until failure of the bond or until 2 × 106 cycles had been reached if no fracture occurred. Cracks were detected by stereomicroscope imaging and also assessed via dye penetration tests. Finally, interfaces of the resin luting agent were examined by scanning electron microscope. The results confirmed that the fatigue resistance was higher in the groups with simulated periodontal ligament healing. Periodontal reattachment showed important biomechanical role in bonded and replanted vertically fractured teeth.

Protective effects of sesaminol on BEAS-2B cells impaired by cigarette smoke extract.

The aim of this study is to investigate protective effects of sesaminol on the human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cell line against oxidative damage of cigarette smoke extract (CSE). BEAS-2B cells were pre-incubated with sesaminol for 12 h and then treated with various concentrations of CSE for 24 h. After that proliferation ability, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cell apoptosis, activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and mRNA levels of IL-8 and IL-6 were measured. The results showed that sesaminol significantly improved BEAS-2B cell viability, reduced the production of ROS and LDH of cells, inhibited cell apoptosis and increased CAT and SOD activities in CSE-treated cells. Sesaminol also inhibited the expression of IL-8 and IL-6 mRNA following CSE exposure. In conclusion, sesaminol may protect BEAS-2B cells against CSE-induced oxidative damage.

Caspase-12 silencing attenuates inhibitory effects of cigarette smoke extract on NOD1 signaling and hBDs expression in human oral mucosal epithelial cells.

Cigarette smoke exposure is associated with increased risk of various diseases. Epithelial cells-mediated innate immune responses to infectious pathogens are compromised by cigarette smoke. Although many studies have established that cigarette smoke exposure affects the expression of Toll-liked receptor (TLR), it remains unknown whether the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 1 (NOD1) expression is affected by cigarette smoke exposure. In the study, we investigated effects of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on NOD1 signaling in an immortalized human oral mucosal epithelial (Leuk-1) cell line. We first found that CSE inhibited NOD1 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, CSE modulated the expression of other crucial molecules in NOD1 signaling and human ß defensin (hBD) 1, 2 and 3. We found that RNA interference-induced Caspase-12 silencing increased NOD1 and phospho-NF-κB (p-NF-κB) expression and down-regulated RIP2 expression. The inhibitory effects of CSE on NOD1 signaling can be attenuated partially through Caspase-12 silencing. Intriguingly, Caspase-12 silencing abrogated inhibitory effects of CSE on hBD1, 3 expression and augmented induced effect of CSE on hBD2 expression. Caspase-12 could play a vital role in the inhibitory effects of cigarette smoke on NOD1 signaling and hBDs expression in oral mucosal epithelial cells.

[Use of 2-DE and MALDI-TOF-MS to screen differentially expressed serum proteins in patients with oral lichen planus before and after hydroxychloroquine treatment].

PURPOSE: To establish 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis images and compare the differences of serum proteins of oral lichen planus patients before and after hydroxychloroquine therapy. METHODS: The serum of oral lichen planus patients before and after hydroxychloroquine therapy were collected, and total protein were extracted. Differential proteome profiles were established and analysed by means of 2-DE and MALDI-TOF-MS. The types and functions of protein were analyzed. SAS 9.12 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Six proteins were well characterized including plasminogen precursor,Apo A-IV precursor, C4A/C4B complement, C2 precursor, Vitamin D binding protein and hypothetical protein. The differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Plasminogen precursor, Apo A-IV precursor, C4A/C4B complement, C2 precursor, Vitamin D binding protein and hypothetical protein are differentially expressed in oral lichen planus patients before and after hydroxychloroquine therapy, but the results need to be validated by other biochemical technologies.

[A comparative study of the cytotoxicity of five dental bonding agents to human periodontal ligament cells].

PURPOSE: To compare the cytotoxicity of 5 different dental bonding agents to human periodontal ligament cells(HPDLCs). METHODS: Primary cultured HPDLCs were exposed to different concentrations (100%,50% and 25%) of Super Bond, Clearfil SE Bond, G-Bond, Single Bond2, and Adper Easy One for different times (24 h, 48 h and 72 h). Cytotoxicity of 5 different agents to HPDLCs were observed by MTT method. The data was analyzed using SPSS 19.0 software package. RESULTS: Cytotoxicity of 5 dentin bonding agents to HPDLCs were Super Bond0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cytotoxicity of 5 dentin bonding agents are different. Cytotoxicity of Super-bond C&B,G-Bond and Clearfil SE Bond are weak, while cytotoxicity of Single Bond2 is the strongest among the 5 agents. Supported by Medical Leading Talents and Innovation Team Project of Jiangsu Province (LJ201110) and Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (SBK201340904).

[Construction of recombinant for generation of Porphyromonas gingivalis minor accessory proteins FimCDE deficient strain].

PURPOSE: To construct a recombinant plasmid containing the upstream of fimC and downstream of fimE of Porphyromonas gingivalis, designated as pPHU281-C-Spec-E, which may be further used to knock out fimCDE gene to determine the role of FimCDE in the infection by P. gingivalis. METHODS: DNA fragments were generated by PCR with the genomic DNA of P. gingivalis strain ATCC 33277 as the template. The upstream fragment of fimC (fragment C) and downstream fragment of fimE (fragment E) were cloned into the suicide plasmid pPHU281 to generate plasmid pPHU281-C-E. The spectinomycin resistance gene was inserted between fragment C and E to construct plasmid Pphu281-C-Spec-E. The recombinant plasmid was verified by restriction enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: The recombinant plasmid pPHU281-C-Spec-E was successfully constructed, which was ready for generation of FimCDE-knockout mutant of P. gingivalis. CONCLUSIONS: The recombinant plasmid pPHU281-C-Spec-E is a tool for construction of FimCDE deficient mutant of P. gingivalis. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (81070839). Team Project of Medical Leaders in Talent and Innovation of Jiangsu Province (LJ201110), Science and Technology Development Plan of Nanjing City(YKK06115) and Medical Science and Technology Development Project of Nanjing City(ZKX1030).

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome: a report of three cases and literature review.

Laugier-Hunziker syndrome (LHS) is an acquired pigmentary condition affecting lips, oral mucosa and acral area, frequently associated with longitudinal melanonychia. There is neither malignant predisposition nor underlying systemic abnormality associated with LHS. Herein, we present three uncommon cases of LHS with possibly new feature of nail pigmentation, which were diagnosed during the past 2 years. We also review the clinical and histological findings, differential diagnosis, and treatment of the syndrome in published literature.