Corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons control trigeminal neuralgia-induced anxiodepression via a hippocampus-to-prefrontal circuit.

Anxiety and depression are frequently observed in patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia (TN), but neural circuits and mechanisms underlying this association are poorly understood. Here, we identified a dedicated neural circuit from the ventral hippocampus (vHPC) to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) that mediates TN-related anxiodepression. We found that TN caused an increase in excitatory synaptic transmission from vHPCCaMK2A neurons to mPFC inhibitory neurons marked by the expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Activation of CRH+ neurons subsequently led to feed-forward inhibition of layer V pyramidal neurons in the mPFC via activation of the CRH receptor 1 (CRHR1). Inhibition of the vHPCCaMK2A-mPFCCRH circuit ameliorated TN-induced anxiodepression, whereas activating this pathway sufficiently produced anxiodepressive-like behaviors. Thus, our studies identified a neural pathway driving pain-related anxiodepression and a molecular target for treating pain-related psychiatric disorders.

Metabolomics reveals size-dependent persistence and reversibility of silver nanoparticles toxicity in freshwater algae.

Although the toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been widely reported, the persistence and reversibility of AgNPs toxicity are poorly understood. In the present work, AgNPs with particle sizes of 5 nm, 20 nm, and 70 nm (AgNPs5, AgNPs20, and AgNPs70) were selected to investigate the nanotoxicity and recovery effects of Chlorella vulgaris in the exposure (72 h) and recovery (72 h) stages using non-targeted metabolomics techniques. The exposure of AgNPs exerted size-dependent effects on several aspects of C. vulgaris physiology, including growth inhibition, chlorophyll content, intracellular silver accumulation, and differential expression of metabolites, and most of these adverse effects were reversible. Metabolomics revealed that AgNPs with small sizes (AgNPs5 and AgNPs20) mainly inhibited glycerophospholipid and purine metabolism, and the effects were reversible. In contrast, AgNPs with large sizes (AgNPs70) reduced amino acid metabolism and protein synthesis by inhibiting aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, and the effects were irreversible, demonstrating the persistence of nanotoxicity of AgNPs. The size-dependent persistence and reversibility of AgNPs toxicity provides new insights to further understand the mechanisms of toxicity of nanomaterials.

Asymmetric activation of microglia in the hippocampus drives anxiodepressive consequences of trigeminal neuralgia in rodents.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients suffering from trigeminal neuralgia are often accompanied by anxiety and depression. Microglia-mediated neuroinflammation is involved in the development of neuropathic pain and anxiodepression pathogenesis. Whether and how microglia are involved in trigeminal neuralgia-induced anxiodepression remains unclear. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Unilateral constriction of the infraorbital nerve (CION) was performed to establish trigeminal neuralgia in rat and mouse models. Mechanical allodynia and anxiodepressive-like behaviours were measured. Optogenetic and pharmacological manipulations were employed to investigate the role of hippocampal microglia in anxiety and depression caused by trigeminal neuralgia. KEY RESULTS: Trigeminal neuralgia activated ipsilateral but not contralateral hippocampal microglia, up-regulated ipsilateral hippocampal ATP and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) levels, impaired ipsilateral hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and induced anxiodepressive-like behaviours in a time-dependent manner in rodents. Pharmacological or optogenetic inhibition of ipsilateral hippocampal microglia completely blocked trigeminal neuralgia-induced anxiodepressive-like behaviours. Activation of unilateral hippocampal microglia directly elicited an anxiodepressive state and impaired hippocampal LTP. Knockdown of ipsilateral hippocampal P2X7 receptors prevented trigeminal neuralgia-induced microglial activation and anxiodepressive-like behaviours. Furthermore, we demonstrated that microglia-derived IL-1ß mediated microglial activation-induced anxiodepressive-like behaviours and LTP impairment. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These findings suggest that priming of microglia with ATP/P2X7 receptors in the ipsilateral hippocampus drives pain-related anxiodepressive-like behaviours via IL-1ß. An asymmetric role of the bilateral hippocampus in trigeminal neuralgia-induced anxiety and depression was uncovered. The approaches targeting microglia and P2X7 signalling might offer novel therapies for trigeminal neuralgia-related anxiety and depressive disorder.

Proteomic profiling reveals mitochondrial toxicity of nanosilver and silver nitrate in the gill of common carp.

Mitochondria are recognized as an important target organelle for the toxicity of nanomaterials. Although the toxic effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on mitochondria have been widely reported, the mechanism behind the toxicity remains unclear. In this study, the effects of two forms of silver (AgNPs and AgNO3) on carp gill mitochondria were investigated by analyzing the mitochondrial ultrastructure, physicochemical properties of mitochondrial membrane, and mitochondrial proteomics. After exposure of common carp to AgNPs (0.75 mg/L) and AgNO3 (0.05 mg/L) for 96 h, both forms of silver were shown to cause gill mitochondrial lesions, including irregular shape, loss of mitochondrial cristae, and increased mitochondrial membrane permeability. Proteomics results revealed that AgNPs and AgNO3 induced 362 and 297 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in gill mitochondria, respectively. Among the DEPs, 244 were shared between AgNPs and AgNO3 treatments. These shared proteins were mainly distributed in the mitochondrial membrane and matrix, and were significantly enriched in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and oxidative phosphorylation pathway. The functional annotation of DEPs induced by both silver forms was mainly involved in energy production and conversion. These results indicated that the toxic mechanism of AgNPs and AgNO3 on gill mitochondria were comparable and the two forms of silver caused mitochondrial dysfunction in fish gills by inhibiting the TCA cycle and disrupting the electron transport chain.

Trophodynamics and health risk assessment of toxic trace metals in the food web of a plateau freshwater lake.

The trophodynamics of toxic trace metals is significant for assessing the threat of toxic trace metals to the aquatic ecosystem and human safety. However, due to the difficulty of accurately calculating the trophic positions of freshwater aquatic organisms in the food web, the comprehensive process of trophodynamics of toxic trace metals in freshwater ecosystems was still rarely known. By integrating the compound-specific nitrogen stable isotopic analysis of amino acids (CSIA-AAs) and the Bayesian stable isotope mixing model (SIMM) as a novel approach, the present study investigated the trophodynamics of five toxic trace metals (Zn, As, Cr, Cu, and Hg) in the food web of the YangZong Lake, a plateau freshwater lake that was once heavily polluted by arsenic in Yunnan Province, China. The results revealed that Hg tended to be efficiently biomagnified in the food web with a trophic magnification factor of 1.75; As, Cr, and Cu were biodiluted significantly, while Zn showed no biomagnification or biodilution trends. The dietary health risk assessment indicated the potential health risk of toxic trace metals for the local residents of long-term fish consumption. The present work highlights the accuracy and reliability of the novel CSIA-AAS+SIMM approach in the calculation of the trophic positions of freshwater organisms.

Metabolomics reveals the mechanism of polyethylene microplastic toxicity to Daphnia magna.

Microplastic exposure leads to various toxic effects in Daphnia magna; however, the effects of microplastics on the metabolic processes in D. magna and the corresponding molecular toxicity mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, the effects of acute exposure to polyethylene microplastics with different particle sizes (20 µm [MPs-20] and 30 µm [MPs-30]) on metabolites in D. magna and the mechanisms of toxicity were investigated by combining metabolomics and traditional toxicology techniques. Exposure to both MPs-20 and MPs-30 resulted in significant accumulation of microplastics in the gut of D. magna and significantly reduced D. magna survival and heart rate. Metabolomics analysis revealed that MPs-20 and MPs-30 induced significant changes in up to 88 and 91 differential metabolites, respectively, and collectively induced significant changes in 75 metabolites in D. magna. Among lipid metabolites, MPs-20 specifically downregulated phosphatidylcholine and upregulated phosphatidylethanolamine, which mainly affected phospholipid metabolism, whereas MPs-30 specifically downregulated amino acid metabolites l-glutamine, l-glutamate and malic acid, which mainly interfered with energy metabolism. The results of this study provide novel insights into the mechanism of effects of microplastics on metabolic processes in D. magna.

Effects of microplastics pollution on plankton: A review.

Microplastics, a new class of environmental pollutants, accumulates in the environment at an uncontrollable rate, which threatens aquatic organisms. Plankton are the basis of food webs and play a significant role in the material circulation and energy flow of aquatic ecosystems. Plankton are sensitive to various environmental pollutants. It is necessary to investigate the impacts of microplastics on plankton. Here, we analzyed the sources and characteristics of microplastics, and the current state of microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystem. The direct and indirect harmful effects of microplastics on aquatic organisms were elaborated. Then, we focused on the potential consequences of microplastics on phytoplankton and zooplankton species from different scales, ranging from individual, population, to community level. With respect to plankton organisms, few studies were carried out on genomics and proteomics from the microcosmic perspective, and on popu-lation and community responses from the macroscopic aspect. This review would provide references for further studies.

Metabolic profiling of nanosilver toxicity in the gills of common carp.

Studies have shown silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exposure can result in a series of toxic effects in fish gills. However, it is still unclear how AgNPs affect metabolite expression and their related molecular metabolic pathways in fish gills. In this study, we employed untargeted metabolomics to study the effects of AgNPs and silver supernatant ions on fish gill metabolites. The results showed that AgNPs can induce significant changes in 96 differentially expressed metabolites, which mainly affect amino acid metabolism and energy metabolism in fish gills. Among these metabolites, AgNPs specifically induce significant changes in 72 differentially expressed metabolites, including L-histidine, L-isoleucine, L-phenylalanine, and citric acid. These metabolites were significantly enriched in the pathways of aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, ABC transporters, and the citrate cycle. In contrast, Ag+ supernatant exposure can specifically induce significant changes in 14 differentially expressed metabolites that mainly interfere with sphingolipid metabolism in fish gills. These specifically regulated fish gill metabolites include sphinganine, sphingosine, and phytosphingosine, which were significantly enriched in the sphingolipid metabolism pathway. Our results clearly reveal the effects and potential toxicity mechanisms of AgNPs on fish gill metabolites. Furthermore, our study further determined the unique functions of released silver ions in AgNPs toxicity in fish gills.

Integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics reveals damage and recovery mechanisms of fish gills in response to nanosilver exposure.

Toxic effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on fish gills have been widely reported but the recoverability of AgNPs-induced fish gill injuries is still unknown. In this study, combined multiomics and conventional toxicological analytical methods were used to investigate the changes in the gills of common carp responses to AgNPs (0.1 mg/L) toxicity after 24 h exposure and 7-day recovery. Conventional toxicological results showed that AgNPs exposure significantly increased silver content in gills and caused epithelial hyperplasia and lamellar fusion. After the recovery period, the silver content in fish gills significantly decreased; accompanied by the disappearance of histopathological characteristics in fish gills. Multiomics results revealed that AgNPs exposure resulted in the differential expression of 687 genes and 96 metabolites in fish gills. These differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and metabolites mainly participate in amino acid, carbohydrate, and lipid metabolisms, and are significantly enriched in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. After the recovery period, the number of DEGs and metabolites in gills decreased to 33 and 90, respectively. Moreover, DEGs and metabolites in the TCA cycle recovered to control levels. In summary, the present study found that AgNPs-induced fish gill toxicity showed potential recoverability at molecular and phenotype levels.

[Evaluation of digital technology for orthognathic surgery in 25 patients].

PURPOSE: To use three-dimensional reconstruction measurement, preoperative diagnosis, surgical design, surgical simulation, guide plate production, navigation verification and effect evaluation of orthognathic surgery assisted by digital technology, in order to explore more scientific and reasonable programs and procedures of orthognathic surgery. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with congenital dental and maxillofacial deformity were selected as the experimental subjects, craniofacial spiral CT was conducted before surgery and CT data were imported into Mimics 20.0 software to establish a 3D head digital model. The bone landmarks in three-dimensional reconstruction digital model were selected, measured, analyzed and diagnosed, and the design of the surgical plan and the production of the guide plates were performed. Surgical navigation system was used to confirm the maxillary position, verify the bone retention and guide precise bone grinding during operation. Craniofacial spiral CT was conducted 1 week after surgery for postoperative validation of the surgical design protocol. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 24.0 software package. RESULTS: All 25 patients were operated according to the digital orthognathic surgery design and procedure.There were no significant differences in X, Y and Z three-dimensional directions in 10 actual landmarks between the postoperative actual head model and the preoperative predictive head model（P>0.05）. CONCLUSIONS: Orthognathic surgery assisted by digital technology has the advantages of precision and minimal invasiveness.

Treatment of oral lichen planus by surgical excision and acellular dermal matrix grafting: Eleven case reports and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disorder, and it can affect normal oral function. The conventional treatments for OLP are not always effective, and relapse easily occurs. Therefore, treatment of OLP is difficult and challenging. In this study, we evaluated over a long period the clinical efficacy of surgical excision and acellular dermal matrix (ADM) grafting in patients with refractory OLP. CASE SUMMARY: Eleven patients with refractory OLP underwent a standardized protocol of surgical excision and ADM grafting. The condition of the area of the grafted wound, the intraoperative maximum mouth opening, pain, and clinical healing were assessed at postoperative follow-up visits. All patients had a flat surgical area with similar mucosal tissue coverage and local scar formation. Patients had no irritation and pain in their mucous membranes when eating acidic and spicy food. All patients' mouth openings returned to normal within 2-6 mo after surgery. During follow-up, none of the patients had recurrence of OLP after surgery. The longest follow-up was 11 yr and the shortest was 6 mo, and none of the patients relapsed during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Surgical excision and ADM grafting could be an effective method to treat refractory OLP.

Ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in fish from the Dianchi Lake, China using the integrated biomarker response approach.

This study used the integrated biomarker response (IBR) index approach to assess the ecological risks of heavy metals in different regions of Dianchi Lake, combined with active monitoring and passive monitoring. The contents of five heavy metals (Cu, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) and six biomarkers (acetylcholinesterase, sodium-potassium ATPase, metallothionein, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde) in the muscles of crucians (Carassius auratus) were measured to calculate the IBR value. The results indicate that the contents of heavy metal in the fish under active monitoring and passive monitoring were rather low and did not exceed the National Food Safety Standards of China. The IBR value of day 14 of active monitoring correlated with the heavy metal Cd content in the fish, suggesting a potential risk of Cd pollution in the aquatic environment of Dianchi Lake. The IBR values obtained for different regions of the lake on day 14 can be arranged in the following order: West S3 (9.24) > East S1 (3.97) > South S2 (2.39) > North S4 (0.36). These results suggest a potential risk of heavy metal contamination in the western part of Dianchi Lake.

[Spatial Characteristics and Ecological Risks of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Coastal Urbanized Areas of China and South Korea].

This study concentrated on the 15 perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in the coastal areas of China and South Korea, an urbanized area with intensive human activities. In total, 126 water samples and 125 sediment samples were collected and determined by HPLC-MS/MS. Fifteen PFASs were detected at least once in all the sites. The total concentrations of PFASs in water and sediment samples ranged from 6.75 ng·L-1 to 20982 ng·L-1 and from 0.229 ng·g-1 to 53.8 ng·g-1 (dw), respectively. The concentrations of PFASs in waters and sediments were relatively high in China, and PFOA was the predominant PFAS. In contrast, short chain compounds such as PFBA and PFPeA played a major role in water, and PFOS, PFBA, and PFOA dominated the sediment samples in South Korea. The partition coefficients of PFASs were closely related to the fraction of organic carbon in the sediment and the carbon chain length of PFASs. Among the 15 compounds, the partition coefficients of 9 were significantly correlated with the fraction of organic carbon (r>0.21, P<0.05), and the partition coefficient steadily increased with the increase of the carbon chain length. The results of ecological risk assessment suggested that the coastal urbanized areas of China and South Korea are still at a low risk. However, some specific areas also showed PFAS pollution. More attention should be paid to the potential health risks.

Distinct Function of Estrogen Receptors in the Rodent Anterior Cingulate Cortex in Pain-related Aversion.

BACKGROUND: Brain-derived estrogen is implicated in pain-related aversion; however, which estrogen receptors mediate this effect remains unclear. This study hypothesized that the different estrogen receptors in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex play distinct roles in pain-related aversion. METHODS: Formalin-induced conditioned place avoidance and place escape/avoidance paradigms were used to evaluate pain-related aversion in rodents. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect estrogen receptor expression. Patch-clamp recordings were used to examine N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents in rostral anterior cingulate cortex slices. RESULTS: The administration of the estrogen receptor-ß antagonist 4-(2-phenyl-5,7-bis [trifluoromethyl] pyrazolo [1,5-a] pyrimidin-3-yl) phenol (PHTPP) or the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 antagonist (3aS*,4R*,9bR*)-4-(6-bromo-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3a,4,5,9b-3H-cyclopenta [c] quinolone (G15) but not the estrogen receptor-α antagonist 1,3-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-methyl-5-[4-(2-piperidinylethoxy) phenol]-1H-pyrazole dihydrochloride (MPP) into the rostral anterior cingulate cortex blocked pain-related aversion in rats (avoidance score, mean ± SD: 1,3-bis [4-hydroxyphenyl]-4-methyl-5-(4-[2-piperidinylethoxy] phenol)-1H-pyrazole dihydrochloride (MPP): 47.0 ± 18.9%, 4-(2-phenyl-5,7-bis [trifluoromethyl] pyrazolo [1,5-a] pyrimidin-3-yl) phenol (PHTPP): -7.4 ± 20.6%, and [3aS*,4R*,9bR*]-4-[6-bromo-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl]-3a,4,5,9b-3H-cyclopenta [c] quinolone (G15): -4.6 ± 17.0% vs. vehicle: 46.5 ± 12.2%; n = 7 to 9; P < 0.0001). Consistently, estrogen receptor-ß knockdown but not estrogen receptor-α knockdown by short-hairpin RNA also inhibited pain-related aversion in mice (avoidance score, mean ± SD: estrogen receptor-α-short-hairpin RNA: 26.0 ± 7.1% and estrogen receptor-ß-short-hairpin RNA: 6.3 ± 13.4% vs. control short-hairpin RNA: 29.1 ± 9.1%; n = 7 to 10; P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the direct administration of the estrogen receptor-ß agonist 2,3-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionitrile (DPN) or the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 agonist (±)-1-([3aR*,4S*,9bS*]-4-(6-bromo-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3a,4,5,9b-tetrahydro-3H-cyclopenta [c]quinolin-8-yl)-ethanone (G1) into the rostral anterior cingulate cortex resulted in conditioned place avoidance (avoidance score, mean ± SD: 2,3-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionitrile (DPN): 35.3 ± 9.5% and (±)-1-([3aR*,4S*,9bS*]-4-(6-bromo-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-3a,4,5,9b-tetrahydro-3H-cyclopenta [c]quinolin-8-yl)-ethanone (G1): 43.5 ± 22.8% vs. vehicle: 0.3 ± 14.9%; n = 8; P < 0.0001) but did not affect mechanical or thermal sensitivity. The activation of the estrogen receptor-ß/protein kinase A or G protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1/protein kinase B pathway elicited the long-term potentiation of N-methyl-D-aspartate-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that estrogen receptor-ß and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 but not estrogen receptor-α in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex contribute to pain-related aversion by modulating N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated excitatory synaptic transmission.

Proteomic profiling reveals the differential toxic responses of gills of common carp exposed to nanosilver and silver nitrate.

Although the toxic effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on fish gills have been reported, the underlying mechanism of toxicity remains unclear. The present study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of toxicity in the gills of common carp following exposure to AgNPs and silver nitrate (AgNO3) using histopathology and proteomics. Histopathological findings revealed that both AgNPs and AgNO3 caused telangiectasia and epithelial cell hyperplasia in fish gills; however, the pathological features and location of lesions caused by the two forms of silver were markedly different. Proteomics revealed that AgNPs and AgNO3 induced 139 and 185 differential expression proteins (DEPs) in gills, respectively, and the two forms of silver induced only 42 shared proteins. AgNPs specifically induced 87 DEPs which mainly involved signaling mechanisms, cytoskeleton, and the arachidonic acid metabolism processes. AgNO3 specifically induced 125 DEPs that were mainly clustered in the glutathione metabolism and protease processes. These results suggested that the toxic effects of AgNPs and AgNO3 were dramatically different in terms of protein expression in fish gills, which may provide novel perspectives for understanding the toxicity mechanism of silver nanoparticles in fish gills.

Effect of silver nanoparticles on gill membranes of common carp: Modification of fatty acid profile, lipid peroxidation and membrane fluidity.

Although the toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in aquatic organisms has been extensively investigated, the mechanism by which AgNPs damage membranes remains unclear. This study investigated the toxic effects of a series of sub-lethal concentrations of AgNPs on the membranes of freshwater carp (Cyprinus carpio) gills, based on changes in membrane fatty acid (FA) profile, membrane fluidity, membrane lipid peroxidation, and histopathology. Most of the FAs in fish gill membrane was not significantly affected by exposure to multiple AgNPs concentrations, only few significant changes occurred in some specific FAs species at a high concentration of AgNPs exposure. In particular, high concentrations of AgNPs significantly decreased the proportions of two important long-chain n-3 series polyunsaturated FAs (C20: 5n3, and C22: 6n3), resulting in a decreased ratio of n-3 polyunsaturated FAs to n-6 polyunsaturated FAs (Σn-3UFA/Σn-6UFA). The AgNPs also caused a dose-dependent decrease in fish gill membrane fluidity, increased the level of lipid peroxidation, and inhibited Na+/K+-ATPase enzyme activity. Further histopathological examination revealed that exposure to AgNPs can cause toxic responses in the lamellae, including the thinning of the basement membrane, malformation, and inflammation. Together, the results suggest that the mechanism of AgNPs membrane toxicity involves the oxidization of long-chain omega-3 unsaturated FAs to saturated FAs via lipid peroxidation, resulting in, decreased membrane fluidity and ultimately the destruction of the normal physiological function of the fish gill membrane. The findings contribute significantly to our understanding of nanoparticle-induced membrane toxicity and potential risks in aquatic environments.

[Three dimensional study on change ratios of hard and soft tissue after orthognathic surgery].

PURPOSE: To investigate the change ratios of soft and hard tissue after orthognathic surgery three-dimensionally in osseous Class Ⅲ patients, in order to predict postoperative soft tissue three-dimensionally. METHODS: Twenty adult patients were selected as the experimental group, craniofacial spiral CT and three-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry were conducted 2 weeks before surgery and 3 months after surgery. Dolphin imaging software was used to establish 3D image digitizing model and 3D measurement coordinate system. Nineteen soft and hard tissue land marks were selected and matched into 12 pairs. 3D coordinate value of these landmarks were read both before and after surgery and were used for statistical analysis with SPSS 22.0 software package. RESULTS: There was a linear relationship only in Pn/A, Gn'/Gn and Me'/Me in X axis, in Gn'/Gn in Y axis and all pairs of landmarks had a close correlation except UL'/UI and UL/SPr in Z axis. Additionally, the change ratio between soft and hard tissue landmarks of mandible was greater than maxilla. CONCLUSIONS: The changes of soft and hard tissue after orthognathic surgery only lie in Z axis(forward and backward), each pair of matched landmarks exhibits a linear relationship, and the change ratio of mandible is greater than the maxilla.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals in Cyprinus carpio (Cyprinidae) from the upper Mekong River.

The purposes of this research are to quantify the concentration of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, As, Pb, Cd, and Hg) in the water and fish tissues of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in the upper Mekong River and to thereby elucidate the potential dietary health risks from fish consumption of local residents. Surface water and fish tissues (gill, muscle, liver, and intestine) from four representative sample areas (influence by a cascade of four dams) along the river were analyzed for heavy metal concentrations. Results revealed that the levels of heavy metals in fish were tissue-dependent. The highest Cu and As levels were found in the liver; the highest Zn and Pb levels occurred in the intestine, and the highest Hg level was found in the muscle. The total target hazard quotient (THQ) value for residents is > 1 for long-term fish consumption, and local residents are, therefore, exposed to a significant health risk. Results from the current study provide an overall understanding of the spatial and tissue distribution of heavy metals in water and fish body along the upper Mekong River under the influence of cascade dams and highlight the potential health risk of As for the local residents of long-term fish consumption.

An irreversible temperature indicator fabricated by citrate induced face-to-face assembly of silver triangular nanoplates.

Assembly of anisotropic nanoparticles which need well controlling of assembly direction and spatial arrangement is more interesting than one-dimensional nanoparticles assemblies. As confirmed by observing of transmission electron microscopy images and analysis of plasmon resonance spectrum transformations, we found that silver triangular nanoplates (TNPs) without further modification could be face-to-face assembled by citrate. The face-to-face assembly of silver TNPs could be disassembled quickly by heating at a wide temperature range from 30 to 80 °C. In this process, an obvious localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak shift and a color change of solution from pink to purple could be observed. Moreover, the disassembled silver TNPs suspension is very stable that no significant peak shift of silver TNPs spectrum was observed in 8 h after removing of silver TNPs from a hearing area. Therefore, we fabricated an irreversible temperature indicator by measuring the relationship between the shift of LSPR peak and heating temperature, and by watching the color change of the solution in a certain environment. The irreversible temperature indicator has potential to develop a temperature label for revealing temperature history of a thermosensitive product which cannot expose to excessive temperature.