[Heparin-binding hemagglutinin as a composition antigen of tuberculosis vaccine exerts protective immune effects by inducing IL-17].

To explore the protective immune effect induced by mucosal delivery heparin-binding hemagglutinin (HBHA)-a candidate vaccine antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Female C57BL/6 mice were between 6 and 8 weeks of age before experimental use. Thirty mice received different immunization strategies and were randomly divided into the control group, the early secreting antigen target-6 (ESAT-6) intranasal immunization group, the HBHA intranasal immunization group, the BCG priming PBS control group, or BCG priming HBHA boost group, 6 mice in each group. In order to analyzed the immune effect, the concentrations of plasma Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and other cytokines were measured by ELISA. Quantitative real-time PCR analyses were performed to detect the relative quantity (RQ) mRNA of IL-17A in the lung. The lung tissue sections were stained to detect the formation of the tertiary lymphoid structures. The chemokines contributed to formation of the tertiary lymphoid structures were also measured. Flow cytometry was used to detect the frequency of Th1 and Th17 cells in the system. Sixty mice in the BCG priming PBS control group and the BCG priming HBHA boost group were sacrificed at different time points after infection to count the lung bacterial burden. The concentrations of plasma IL-17A and relative quantity of lung IL-17A mRNA were highest in the BCG priming HBHA boost group [(14.76±4.73) pg/mL,RQ (12.27±6.71)], which was significantly higher than the control group [(5.57±2.95) pg/mL,RQ (1.30±0.97)] (t=4.213, P<0.001; t=5.984, P<0.001), and also significantly higher than the BCG priming PBS control group [(6.81±2.18) pg/mL,RQ (1.44±1.16)] (t=3.646 P=0.001; t=6.185 P<0.001). Compared with the BCG priming PBS control group (0.38±0.38)% the frequency of spleen Th17 cells were also significantly increased (t=-0.280, P=0.048) in the BCG-primary HBHA boost group (1.02±0.34)%. In addition, HBHA boosting could promote better formation of the tertiary lymphoid structures in the lung, and decrease the bacterial load on the early stage after BCG challenge. Collectively, mucosal delivery of HBHA can effectively enhance the protective effect after BCG vaccination, and it is a potential candidate vaccine component.

[Accuracy analysis of full-arch implant digital impressions when using a geometric feature].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of adding a geometric feature on the accuracy of digital impressions obtained by intraoral scanners for implant restoration of edentulous jaw quantitatively. Methods: A dentiform model of the maxilla of completely edentulous arch with 6 implant analogs+scan bodies (No. 1-6) was selected as the reference model. Without geometric feature, the dentiform model was scanned by dental model scanner and repeated for 5 times as true value group. Before and after adding the geometric feature, the same operator used intraoral scanner A (Trios 3) and B (Aoralscan 2) to scan the dentiform model with the same scanning path. Each type of intraoral scanner scanned 10 times and ".stl " datas were obtained. The results were imported into reverse engineering software (Geomagic Studio 2015). The linear distances of center point of upper plane between sacn body 1 to 6 was calculated, denoted as D12, D13, D14, D15 and D16. Trueness was the absolute value subtracted from the measured value of the intraoral scanner groups and true value; precision was the absolute value of pairwise subtraction of the measured values in the intraoral scanner groups.The smaller the value, the better the accuracy or precision.With or without the feature, all scan data were statistically analyzed, and the effect of adding geometric feature on the trueness and precision of the two intraoral scanners were evaluated. Results: As for intraoral scanner A, with the feature in place, significant differences were found in D14, D15, D16 for tureness(t=2.66, 2.75, 2.95, P<0.05); the trueness for D16 decreased from (101.9±47.1) µm to (49.6±30.3) µm. On the other hand, with features on the edentulous area, the precision was significantly increased in D15 and D16 (U=378.00, 672.00, P<0.05); the precision for D15 decreased from 40.8 (45.1) µm to 13.1 (17.0) µm. As for intraoral scanner B, the trueness of D12, D13 and D14 after adding geometric features was significantly better than before (t=3.02, 2.66, U=22.00, P<0.05). With feature on the edentulous area, the trueness for D13 decreased from (116.6±41.2) µm to (70.8±35.5) µm. There was no statistical significance in the trueness of D15 and D16 with or without geometric feature (P>0.05), however, the precision of D15 and D16 after adding geometric feature was significantly better than before (U=702.00, 489.00,P<0.05). The precision of D16 decreased from 112.5 (124.7) µm to 35.9 (85.8) µm. Conclusions: The use of geometric feature in edentulous space improves the trueness and precision of the different principle intraoral scanners tested.

[Quantitative study of intraoral scanners' accuracy].

Objective: To establish a standard method to evaluate the scanning accuracy of intraoral scanner (IOS) and to investigate six IOS's scanning accuracy and the relationship between different scan span. Methods: Five simplified six abutments full arch model were fabricated by high accuracy (5 µm) milling machine with 7075 aluminum alloy. The machining accuracy, which was verified by a coordinate measuring machine with higher accuracy (0.7 µm), was considered as the reference accuracy. The model with the highest machining accuracy was considered as the test model in IOS's scanning accuracy test, and computer-aided design (CAD) data of the model was used as the reference data. Six IOS scanned the test model 10 times with the same scanning path, obtained 60 test data. CAD data and test data were input into Geomagic Studio 2014. The preparation part above the margin of the abutments of the data was isolated and divided into 4 segments of interest: single crown, three-unit bridge, five-unit bridge, and full arch. The test data were then best-fit aligned to CAD data or each other followed by deviation analysis. Scanning trueness and precision were then calculated. Results: The mid-value of scanning trueness and precision of six IOS in single crown, three-unit bridge, five-unit bridge and full arch were 13.3-29.6 µm and 7.6-20.7 µm, 15.4-30.9 µm and 8.7-26.5 µm, 17.0-66.1 µm and 11.3-44.2 µm, 24.0-107.9 µm and 24.6-150.1 µm respectively. Conclusions: Long-span scanning can affect the accuracy of IOS to a varying extent.

[Research and development of clinical application accuracy of intraoral three-dimensional scanning technology].

Intraoral three-dimensional scanning technology has been adopted in stomatology field and developed rapidly with improved accuracy. At present, the scanning accuracy of the intraoral three-dimensional scanners used in restoration of single crown, three unit fixed partial bridge and single implant crown satisfies the clinical requirements. While for restoration of multi-unit fixed, the scanning accuracy is not enough. There are still technical bottlenecks for scanning functional motion boundary of soft tissue, especially for direct acquisition of edentulous functional impressions. Through literature review and analysis, we summarize the intraoral scanning accuracy of oral hard and soft tissues, and analyze the clinical applicability and limitations of intraoral scanning technology, providing reference for clinical application.

[Accuracy of three intraoral scans for primary impressions of edentulous jaws].

OBJECTIVE: To provide a reference for using intraoral scanners for making clinical diagnostic dentures of edentulous jaws by comparing the accuracy of three intraoral scanners for primary impression and jaw relation record of edentulous jaws. METHODS: This study contained 6 primary impressions of the edentulous patients. Each of the impressions consisted of the maxillary primary impression, the mandibular primary impression and the jaw relation record. For each of them, a dental cast scanner (Dentscan Y500) was used to obtain stereolithography (STL) data as reference scan, and then three intraoral scanners including i500, Trios 3 and CEREC Primescan were used for three times to obtain STL data as experiment groups. In Geomagic Studio 2013 software, trueness was obtained by comparing experiment groups with the reference scan, and the precision was obtained from intragroup comparisons. Registered maxillary data of the intraoral scan with reference scan, the morphological error of jaw relation record was obtained by comparing jaw relation record of the intraoral scan with the reference scan. Registered mandibular data with jaw relation record of intraoral scan and the displacement of the jaw position were evaluated. Independent samples t test and Mann-Whitney U test in the SPSS 20.0 statistical software were used to statistically analyze the trueness, precision and morphological error of jaw relation record of three intraoral scanners. The Bland-Altman diagram was used to evaluate the consistency of the jaw relationship measured by the three intraoral scanners. RESULTS: The trueness of i500, Trios 3 and CEREC Primescan scanners was (182.34±101.21) µm, (145.21±71.73) µm, and (78.34±34.79) µm for maxilla; (106.42±21.63) µm, and 95.08 (63.08) µm, (78.45±42.77) µm for mandible. There was no significant difference in trueness of the three scanners when scanning the maxilla and mandible(P>0.05). The precision of the three scanners was 147.65 (156.30) µm, (147.54±83.33) µm, and 40.30 (32.80) µm for maxilla; (90.96±30.77) µm, (53.73±23.56) µm, and 37.60 (93.93) µm for mandible. The precision of CEREC Primescan scanner was significantly better than that of the other two scanners for maxilla (P<0.05). Trios 3 and CEREC Primescan scanners were significantly better than i500 scanner for mandible (P<0.05). The precision of the i500 and Trios 3 scanners for mandible was superior to maxilla (P<0.05). The upper limit of 95% confidence intervals of trueness and precision of three scanners for both maxilla and mandible were within ±300 µm which was clinically accepted. The morphological error of jaw relation record of the three scanners was (337.68±128.54) µm, (342.89±195.41) µm, and (168.62±88.35) µm. The 95% confidence intervals of i500 and Trios 3 scanners were over 300 µm. CEREC Primescan scanner was significantly superior to i500 scanner(P<0.05).The displacement of the jaw position of the three scanners was (0.83±0.56) mm, (0.80±0.45) mm, and (0.91±0.75) mm for vertical dimension; (0.79±0.58) mm, (0.62±0.18) mm, and (0.53±0.53) mm for anterior and posterior directions; (0.95±0.59) mm, (0.69±0.45) mm, and (0.60±0.22) mm for left and right directions. The displacement of the jaw position of the three scanners in vertical dimension, anterior and posterior directions and the left and right directions were within the 95% consistency limit. CONCLUSION: Three intraoral scanners showed good trueness and precision. The i500 and Trios 3 scanners had more errors in jaw relation record, but they were used as primary jaw relation record. It is suggested that three intraoral scanners can be used for obtaining digital data to make diagnostic dentures and individual trays, reducing possible deforming or crack when sending impressions from clinic to laboratory.

[Research progress of interaction models between intestinal microflora and host cells].

Intestinal microbes play an important role in human health. The development of various clinical diseases, such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, is closely related to the imbalance of intestinal microflora. With the development of high-throughput sequencing technology, there has been a breakthrough in the understanding of intestinal microorganism. The interaction between intestinal epithelial cells and intestinal microbes has become one of the hotspots and difficulties of current research. Because of the constraints of ethical review and experimental cost, people are more interested in the development of interaction models between the intestinal microflora and the host cells. In this paper, interaction models between intestinal microflora and host cells, and its working principle and application prospect are reviewed, hoping to provide new techniques and new ideas for studying functions of intestinal microbes.

Continuous compression behaviors of selective laser melting Ti-6Al-4V alloy with cuboctahedron cellular structures.

Cellular structures often show fluctuating stresses in compression stress-strain curves. Such fluctuating stresses correspond to strut fractures. In this study, the cellular Ti-6Al-4V alloy with cuboctahedron structure was prepared by selective laser melting. The cuboctahedron cellular structures showed reduced fluctuations in their compressive stress-strain curves after the initial yielding peak. Their moduli were modulated via the porosity of the structure by changing the strut diameter. A compressive modulus of between 1.3 and 4.868 GPa can be achieved by varying the porosity in the cellular structures between 33% and 84%. Both heat treatment and hot isostatic press (HIP) treatment reduced the fracture strength of the struts during compression due to the conversion of the α' martensite phase into the more ductile α +â€¯ß phase. The cellular structure with HIP treatment produced a continuous stress-strain curve during compression, indicating uniform strain distribution behavior. The continuous compressive stress-strain curve can lead to reduced debris formation during compression processes. The deformation showed either bending or stretching mechanisms depending on whether the supports were included along the building direction. The design concepts of cellular structures demonstrated in this study will be valuable in future biomedical applications.

Acute Toxicity and Hazardous Concentrations of Zinc to Native Freshwater Organisms Under Different pH Values in China.

Zinc bioavailability to aquatic organisms varies greatly under different pH values. In the present study, five native species in China and four common international test species were selected to investigate the influence of changing pH on acute zinc toxicity. The results showed that the higher trophic levels exhibited increasing sensitivity to zinc as pH decreased. However, when the pH value was between 8 and 11, the acute toxicity of zinc was relatively constant. In addition, by using a species-sensitivity distribution (SSD) method, the short-term hazardous concentrations of zinc at different pH values (based on the 5th percentiles of the pH-specific SSDs) were determined to be 17.26 µg/L (pH 4), 48.31 µg/L (pH 5), 80.34 µg/L (pH 6) and 230.6 µg/L (pH 7), respectively. The present study provides useful information for deriving water quality criteria and assessing the risks of metals in the near future.

Local structure, nucleation sites and crystallization behavior and their effects on magnetic properties of Fe81Si x B10P8-xCu1 (x = 0~8).

In this work, an attempt has been made to reveal critical factors dominating the crystallization and soft magnetic properties of Fe81Si x B10P8-xCu1 (x = 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8) alloys. Both melt spun and annealed alloys are characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffractometry, Mössbauer spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and magnetometry. The changes in magnetic interaction between Fe atoms and chemical homogeneity can well explain the variation of magnetic properties of Fe81Si x B10P8-xCu1 amorphous alloys. The density of nucleation sites in the amorphous precursors decreases in the substitution of P by Si. Meanwhile, the precipitated nanograins gradually coarsen, but the inhibiting effect of P on grain growth diminishes causing the increase of the crystallinity. Moreover, various site occupancies of Si are observed in the nanocrystallites and the Si occupancy in bcc Fe decreases the average magnetic moment of nanograins. Without sacrificing amorphous forming ability, we can obtain FeSiBPCu nanocrystalline alloy with excellent soft magnetic properties by optimizing the content of Si and P in the amorphous precursors.

[Depletion of GP73 inhibits invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells].

Objective: To explore the in vitro and in vivo effect of GP73 on the proliferation, invasion and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: GP73 gene was knocked out using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system in H22 and HepG2 cells, and stable knock out strains were constructed. The knockout efficiency was measured by western blot. Colony formation assay was used to detect the effect of GP73 on long-term survival ability. Cells were then highly synchronized in G(1) phase upon treatment with cell synchronization reagents (mimosine), and the percentage of cells in G(2)/M phase at different time points was detected by flow cytometry. The invasive and metastasis abilities of hepatocellular carcinoma cells were detected by Transwell™ assay. Furthermore, the tumor formation abilities in vivo were examined using subcutaneous xenograft models. Results: The stable knock out strains of GP73 in H22 and HepG2 cells were successfully established via puromycin selection. The number of colonies of GP73 knock out groups in HepG2 and H22 cells 10 days after transfection were 400±70 and 248±60, respectively. They were significantly lower than those in the control groups (980±40 and 1 100±50, respectively; P<0.01). In addition, GP73 knockout slowed down the cell cycle progression. Moreover, the cell numbers that had migrated to the underside of the filters were 312±50 and 305±49 in the GP73 knockout groups of HepG2 and H22 cells, respectively, significantly lower than 1 540±87 and 1 270±86 in the controls (P<0.01). For transwell invasion assay, the cell number that had invaded into the underside of the filters were 230±47 and 238±54 in the GP73 knockout groups of HepG2 and H22 cells, respectively, significantly lower than 648±74 and 596±63 in the controls(P<0.01). Furthermore, the tumor volume of GP73 knockout group was (70±170) mm(3,) significantly smaller than (1 200±110)mm(3) of the control guoup (P<0.01). Conclusions: GP73 knockout decreases the proliferation, invasive and migratory abilities of HepG2 and H22 cells in vitro and in vivo. GP73 may contribute to tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Local morphology informs location of activation during navigation within the parahippocampal region of the human brain.

The relationship between the local morphological features that define the entorhinal and parahippocampal cortex in the medial temporal region of the human brain and activation as measured during a navigation task with functional magnetic resonance imaging was examined individually in healthy participants. Two functional activation clusters were identified one within the caudal end of the collateral sulcus proper and the other in the parahippocampal extension of the collateral sulcus, clearly establishing the activation in the posterior parahippocampal cortex. A third activation cluster was identified where the anterior segment of the collateral sulcus proper gives way to the posterior segment, demonstrating also activation within the middle parahippocampal cortex. No activation was observed in the entorhinal cortex that lies medial to the rhinal sulcus or in the anterior part of the parahippocampal cortex along the anterior branch of the collateral sulcus proper. The activations could also be clearly differentiated from the cortex of the fusiform and lingual gyri that lie laterally and posteriorly. These findings demonstrated specific activation in the middle and posterior part of the parahippocampal cortex when information necessary for navigation was retrieved from a previously established cognitive map and demonstrate that the sulci that comprise the collateral sulcal complex represent important landmarks that can provide an accurate localization of activation foci along the parahippocampal cortex and allow identification of subdivisions involved in the processing of spatial information.

Success of dental implants in vascularised fibular osteoseptocutaneous flaps used as onlay grafts after marginal mandibulectomy.

We have evaluated the survival of dental implants placed in vascularised fibular flap onlay grafts placed over marginal mandibulectomies and the effects on marginal bone loss of different types of soft tissue around implants under functional loading. From 2001-2009 we studied a total of 11 patients (1 woman and10 men), three of whom had had ameloblastoma and eight who had had squamous cell carcinomas resected. A total of 38 dental implants were placed either at the time of transfer of the vascularised fibular ostoseptocutaneous flaps (nine patients with 30 implants) or secondarily (two patients with eight implants). Four patients were given palatal mucosal grafts to replace intraoral skin flaps around the dental implants (n=13), and the other seven had the skin flaps around the dental implants thinned (n=25) at the second stage of implantation of the osteointegrated teeth. All vascularised fibular osteoseptocutaneous flaps were successfully transferred, and all implants survived a mean (range) of 73 (33-113) months after occlusal functional loading. The mean (SD) marginal bone loss was 0.5 (0.3) mm on both mesial and distal sides in patients who had palatal mucosal grafts, but 1.8 (1.6) mm, and 1.7 (1.5) mm, respectively, on the mesial and distal sides in the patients who had had thinning of their skin flaps. This difference is significant (p=0.008) with less resorption of bone in the group who had palatal mucosal grafts. Palatal mucosa around the implants helps to reduce resorption of bone after functional loading of implants.

Anomalous optical forces on the anisotropic Rayleigh particles.

We investigate the optical forces on the radially anisotropic spheres from an incident plane wave based on our generalized full-wave scattering theory and the Maxwell stress tensor integration techniques. We demonstrate that the optical force on the Rayleigh sphere with radial anisotropy does not always obey the well-known Rayleigh's law F~k04a(6) (where k(0) is the wave number and a is the radius of the sphere), but could be anomalous with the laws such as F~k00a(2), F~k0-2a(0), and F~k08a(10) under certain conditions. Therefore, the optical force on the anisotropic Rayleigh spheres is enhanced at the electric dipole resonance, and may be further increased by tuning the anisotropic parameters. On the contrary, the optical forces on the anisotropic spheres can be largely reduced for anisotropic spheres with electromagnetic transparency.

Splicing factor SRSF3 represses the translation of programmed cell death 4 mRNA by associating with the 5'-UTR region.

Serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 3 (SRSF3), a member of the serine/arginine (SR)-rich family of proteins, regulates both alternative splicing of pre-mRNA and export of mature mRNA from the nucleus. Although its role in nuclear mRNA processing is well understood, the mechanism by which it alters the fate of cytoplasmic mRNA molecules remains elusive. Here, we provide evidence that SRSF3 not only regulates the alternative splicing pattern of programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) mRNA, but also modulates its translational efficiency in the cytoplasm by lowering translation levels. We observed a marked increase in PDCD4 mRNA in translating polysome fractions upon silencing of SRSF3, and, conversely, ectopic overexpression of SRSF3 shifted PDCD4 mRNA into non-translating ribosomal fractions. In live cells, SRSF3 colocalized with PDCD4 mRNA in P-bodies (PBs), where translationally silenced mRNAs are deposited, and this localization was abrogated upon SRSF3 silencing. Furthermore, using two different reporter systems, we showed that SRSF3 interacts directly with PDCD4 mRNA and mediates translational repression by binding to the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR). In summary, our data suggest that the oncogenic potential of SRSF3 might be realized, in part, through the translational repression of PDCD4 mRNA.

Thermal response of a dental tissue induced by femtosecond laser pulses.

This paper reports a theoretical and experimental study for thermal transport in a thin slice of human tooth induced by a 120 fs, 800 nm pulse laser at a repetition rate of 1 kHz. The surface reflectivity of enamel and the convection heat transfer coefficient were determined using an inverse heat transfer analysis. Instead of a fully three-dimensional modeling, two simplified two-dimensional (2D) planar and axisymmetric heat conduction models were proposed to simulate the temperature fields. The temperature responses obtained from the 2D planar and axisymmetric model agree well with the experimental measurements. On the other hand, the one-dimensional (1D) result significantly differs from the 2D axisymmetric one, suggesting that care should be taken when a 1D thermal model is considered for estimating temperature response.

Examining the neural impact of pediatric concussion: a scoping review of multimodal and integrative approaches using functional and structural MRI techniques.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This study presents the findings from a scoping review of recent, original research investigating changes in brain structure and/or function following pediatric concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) using MRI and functional MRI techniques. RECENT FINDINGS: Our scoping review identified only five studies, two of which were focused specifically on sports-related concussion. A common finding across studies was that traditional structural methods such as anatomical T1, T2, and even susceptibility-weighted MRI failed to reveal abnormalities in brain structure following pediatric concussion/mTBI. Although data suggest alterations in brain function associated with concussion, correlation with changes in performance is inconsistently found, possibly because of the use of compensatory cerebral mechanisms or alternate pathways while the brain is still dysfunctional. SUMMARY: In conclusion, the literature describing neuroimaging investigations of pediatric concussion is too scarce to allow the formulation of definitive conclusions regarding the impact of concussion on the developing brain. There is a dire need for longitudinal, multisite investigations focused on a wider age range and recovery period.

Nonequilibrium phase change in gold films induced by ultrafast laser heating.

Ultrafast laser-induced melting in a gold thin film is simulated by an integrated continuum-atomistic method with the extended Drude model for dynamic optical properties. The local order parameter of atoms is used to identify solid and liquid regions. It is shown that the film is superheated in the early nonequilibrium stage and the melted region grows very quickly with a very high rate of melting up to ∼13,300 m/s. It is also found that the continuum approach could significantly underestimate the ultrafast phase-change response, and temperature-dependent optical properties should be considered in atomic-level modeling for ultrafast laser heating.