Human-like adrenal features in Chinese tree shrews revealed by multi-omics analysis of adrenal cell populations and steroid synthesis.

The Chinese tree shrew ( Tupaia belangeri chinensis) has emerged as a promising model for investigating adrenal steroid synthesis, but it is unclear whether the same cells produce steroid hormones and whether their production is regulated in the same way as in humans. Here, we comprehensively mapped the cell types and pathways of steroid metabolism in the adrenal gland of Chinese tree shrews using single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptome analysis, mass spectrometry, and immunohistochemistry. We compared the transcriptomes of various adrenal cell types across tree shrews, humans, macaques, and mice. Results showed that tree shrew adrenal glands expressed many of the same key enzymes for steroid synthesis as humans, including CYP11B2, CYP11B1, CYB5A, and CHGA. Biochemical analysis confirmed the production of aldosterone, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone but not dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the tree shrew adrenal glands. Furthermore, genes in adrenal cell types in tree shrews were correlated with genetic risk factors for polycystic ovary syndrome, primary aldosteronism, hypertension, and related disorders in humans based on genome-wide association studies. Overall, this study suggests that the adrenal glands of Chinese tree shrews may consist of closely related cell populations with functional similarity to those of the human adrenal gland. Our comprehensive results (publicly available at http://gxmujyzmolab.cn:16245/scAGMap/) should facilitate the advancement of this animal model for the investigation of adrenal gland disorders.

A MnO2 nanosheet-mediated CRISPR/Cas12a system for the detection of organophosphorus pesticides in environmental water.

Nowadays, easy, convenient, and sensitive sensing strategies are still critical for organophosphorus pesticides in environmental water samples. Herein, a novel organophosphorus pesticide (OP) assay based on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and a MnO2 nanosheet-mediated CRISPR/Cas12a reaction is reported. The single-strand DNA (ssDNA) activator of CRISPR/Cas12a was simply adsorbed on the MnO2 nanosheets as the nanoswitches of the assay. In the absence of target OPs, AChE hydrolyzed acetylcholine (ATCh) to thiocholine (TCh), which reduced the MnO2 nanosheets to Mn2+, resulting in the release of the activator followed by activation of the CRISPR/Cas12a system. The activated Cas12a thereafter nonspecifically cleaved the FAM/BHQ1-labeled ssDNA (FQ-reporter), producing a fluorescence signal. Upon the addition of target OPs, the hydrolysis of ATCh by AChE was inhibited owing to OPs combining with AChE, and thus effective quantification of OPs could be achieved by measuring the fluorescence changes of the system. As a proof of concept, dichlorvos (DDVP) was chosen as a model OP analyte to address the feasibility of the proposed method. Attributed to the excellent trans-cleavage activity of Cas12a, the fluorescent biosensor exhibits a satisfactory limit of detection (LOD) for DDVP at 0.135 ng mL-1. In addition, the excellent recoveries for the detection of DDVP in environmental water samples demonstrate the applicability of the proposed assay in real sample research.

[A case report of combined aesthetic diagnosis and treatment of adult concave deformity].

The non-surgical treatment of adult concave deformity can be achieved by interdisciplinary solution, which includes condylar relocation, fixed orthodontic, and functional occlusion smile design anterior prosthesis. In this study, an adult patient with concave deformity were treated by maxillary occlusal splint, conventional fixed brackets, and upper anterior teeth porcelain veneers to lead mandibular condyle to centric relation, to correct the dental arches for functional occlusion, and to gain the final desired esthetic achievement after treatments.

[Research progress of the regulation of orphan nuclear receptors on chronic liver diseases].

The development of chronic liver disease can be promoted by excessive fat accumulation, dysbiosis, viral infections and persistent inflammatory responses, which can lead to liver inflammation, fibrosis and carcinogenesis. An in-depth understanding of the etiology leading to chronic liver disease and the underlying mechanisms influencing its development can help identify potential therapeutic targets for targeted treatment. Orphan nuclear receptors (ONRs) are receptors that have no corresponding endogenous ligands to bind to them. The study of these ONRs and their biological properties has facilitated the development of synthetic ligands, which are important for investigating the effective targets for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. In recent years, it has been found that ONRs are essential for maintaining normal liver function and their dysfunction can affect a variety of liver diseases. ONRs can influence pathophysiological activities such as liver lipid metabolism, inflammatory response and cancer cell proliferation by regulating hormones/transcription factors and affecting the biological clock, oxidative stress, etc. This review focuses on the regulation of ONRs, mainly including retinoid related orphan nuclear receptors (RORs), pregnane X receptor (PXR), leukocyte cell derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2), Nur77, and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α), on the development of different types of chronic liver diseases in different ways, in order to provide useful references for the therapeutic strategies of chronic liver diseases based on the regulation of ONRs.

Electroacupuncture regulates microglial polarization via inhibiting NF-κB/COX2 pathway following traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are important pathological mechanisms following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The NF-κB/COX2 pathway regulates neuroinflammation and oxidative damage, while microglia also play an important role in neuroinflammation. Since NF-κB is involved in microglial polarization, targeting this pathway and microglial polarization is a critical component of TBI treatment. Currently, electroacupuncture (EA) is widely used to treat various symptoms after TBI, but the mechanisms of EA remain poorly understood. Additionally, the optimal frequency of EA remains unclear, which affects its efficacy. This study focuses on exploring the optimal frequency parameters of EA on TBI and investigating the underlying mechanisms of EA through NF-κB/COX2 pathway and microglial polarization. METHODS: The study was divided into two parts. In Experiment 1, 42 Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were induced and randomly divided into seven groups (n = 6). Except for the sham group, all rats underwent controlled cortical impact (CCI) to establish TBI model. Four EA groups (with different frequencies) and manual acupuncture (without current stimulation) received stimulation on the acupoints of Shuigou (GV26), Fengchi (GB20) and Neiguan (PC6) once a day for 7 days. The neurological function was assessed by modified Neurological Severity Scores (mNSS), and the rats' memory and learning were examined by the Morris water maze (MWM). SOD, MDA, and GSH-Px were detected to evaluate the levels of oxidative stress. The levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α were evaluated by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Detection of the above indicators indicated a treatment group that exerted the strongest neuroprotection against TBI, we then conducted Experiment 2 using this screened acupuncture treatment to investigate the mechanism of acupuncture. 48 rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 12): sham, TBI model, acupuncture and PDTC (NF-κB inhibitor). Evaluations of mNSS, MWM test, SOD, MDA, GSH-Px, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10 were the same as in Experiment 1. Western blot was applied for detecting the expression levels of NF-κB, p-NF-κB, COX2, and Arg-1. TUNEL was used to examine neuronal apoptosis. Brain structure was observed by H&E. Iba-1, COX2, and Arg-1 were investigated by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: EA with frequency of 2/100 Hz markedly improved neuronal and cognitive function as compared to the other treatment groups. Moreover, it downregulated the expression of MDA, IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α and upregulated the levels of SOD and GSH-Px. In addition, Both EA with 2/100 Hz and PDTC reduced the levels of p-NF-κB, COX2 and M1 markers (COX2, IL-6, IL-1ß, TNF-α) and increased the levels of M2 markers (Arg-1, IL-10). Moreover, they had similar effects on reducing inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis, and improving neuronal and cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS: The collective findings strongly suggest that EA with 2/100 Hz can improve neurologic function by suppressing neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis. Additionally, we confirm that EA promotes microglial polarization towards the M2 phenotype through the suppression of NF-κB/COX2 pathway, thus exerting neuroprotective effects after TBI.

[Research progress on role of traditional Chinese medicine in hepatic fibrosis based on miRNA-mediated activation of NLRP3 inflammasome].

In recent years, liver fibrosis has become a hotspot in the field of liver diseases. MicroRNA(miRNA)-mediated Nod-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3) inflammasome activation is pivotal in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. The present study mainly discussed the role of miRNA-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Different miRNA molecules regulated liver fibrosis by mediating NLRP3 inflammasome activation, including miRNA-350-3 p(miR-350-3 p)/interleukin-6(IL-6)-mediated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)/c-myc signaling pathway, miR-148 a-induced autophagy and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells via hedgehog signaling pathway, miR-155-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome by the negative feedback of the suppressor of cytokine signaling-1(SOCS-1), miR-181 a-mediated downstream NLRP3 inflammatory pathway activation through mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase(MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)/nuclear transcription factor κB(NF-κB) inflammatory pathway, miR-21-promoted expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 of RAW264.7 cells in mice by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-α inducible protein 3(A20), and miR-20 b-promoted expression of IL-1ß and IL-18 by activating NLRP3 signaling pathway. Additionally, the anti-liver fibrosis mechanism of different active components in Chinese medicines(such as Curcumae Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Aurantii Fructus, Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix, Moutan Cortex, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Epimedii Folium, and Cinnamomi Cortex) was also explored based on the anti-liver fibrosis effect of miRNA-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Comparison between single- and double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions for knee with grade 2 medial collateral ligament injury.

ABSTRACT: This research discussed clinical outcomes of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction accompanied by conservative treatment for grade 2 medial collateral ligament injury, and comparison was performed between double-bundle and single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Clinical information was retrospectively collected for 41 cases suffering anterior cruciate ligament injuries accompanied by grade 2 medial collateral ligament injuries. Within 14 days after their injuries 22 cases received single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (SB group), while 19 were treated with double-bundle medial collateral ligament reconstruction (DB group). Physical statuses were estimated based on International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Lysholm scores, Lachman, pivot shift and manual valgus test, and range of motion (ROM), while side-to-side difference was estimated through KT 2000 arthometer.Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction accompanied by conservative treatment showed significantly improved anteroposterior, rotational and valgus stability, and IKDC and Lysholm scores (in comparison to pre-operative status, P < .05). Incidence of pivot shift was dramatically lower in DB group (2/19) than in SB group (7/22 and 2/22; P = .028). No substantial dissimilarity existed between DB and SB groups either in Lachman and valgus tests, KT 2000, ROM, IKDC, or Lysholm scores.Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction accompanied by conservative treatment could achieve outstanding stability and functional manifestations for cases facing anterior cruciate ligament injury accompanied by grade 2 medial collateral ligament injury. Moreover, double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is superior to single-bundle operation in treating rotational instability of the knee.Level of evidence: Retrospective comparative study, Level III.

Cir-ITCH inhibits gastric cancer migration, invasion and proliferation by regulating the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are differentially expressed in various tumours, but the expression and regulatory mechanisms of circular RNA ITCH (cir-ITCH) in gastric cancer remain unclear. For this reason, in the present study, we assessed the expression of cir-ITCH and the associated regulatory mechanism of cir-ITCH in gastric cancer. Through RTq-PCR assays, we observed that cir-ITCH expression was attenuated in gastric cancer cell lines and tissues, with cir-ITCH expression in gastric cancer tissues with lymph node metastasis being considerably lower than that observed in gastric cancer tissues without lymph node metastasis. In addition, we demonstrated that cir-ITCH or linear ITCH may be a useful marker for gastric cancer prognosis by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. We also showed that cir-ITCH overexpression could increase linear ITCH expression through miR-17 via RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and luciferase reporter assays. Moreover, in vivo and in vitro experimental results showed that cir-ITCH can act as a tumour suppressor to prevent gastric cancer tumourgenesis by sponging miR-17. The Wnt/ß-catenin pathway plays a crucial role during the carcinogenesis of cancers, and we observed that cir-ITCH could negatively regulate Wnt/ß-catenin signalling, which could be restored by miR-17. In summary, cir-ITCH was shown to prevent gastric cancer tumourgenesis through the Wnt/ß-catenin signalling pathway by sequestering miR-17.

[Overview of "tian-yin-yang" acupuncture, an acupuncture school of Huang's Zhuang medicine of Guangxi].

The theory of "tian-yin-yang" of Zhuang medicine was explored and the academic achievements and experience of professor HUANG Jin-ming were summarized to explain the theory and clinical characteristics of tian-yin-yang acupuncture, an acupuncture school of Huang 's Zhuang medicine of Guangxi. This acupuncture method is guided by the theory of "three-qi synchronization" and "tian-yin-yang" of Zhuang medicine, based on the theory of "three channels and two paths", with regulating qi as the method and regulating spirit as the basis. After the patient is calmed and resting, the micro needle shallow needling technique is adopted, mainly at the umbilical ring point, so as to achieve the purpose of regulating the mind and treating the root cause.

Clear aligners for maxillary anterior en masse retraction: a 3D finite element study.

To evaluate tooth behaviours under various maxillary incisor retraction protocols for clear aligner therapy. A three-dimensional finite element model of maxillary dentition was constructed for first premolar extraction. A loading method was developed to mimic the mode of action of clear aligners for incisor en masse retraction. Three protocols with different amounts of retraction and intrusion on incisors were designed. Initial tooth displacements and stresses on periodontal ligaments were analysed with ANSYS software. The central (U1) and lateral (U2) incisors exhibited uncontrolled lingual tipping and extrusion upon 0.25 mm retraction. U1 exhibited translation movement, while U2 underwent less tipping during 0.2 mm retraction and 0.15 mm intrusion. Labial tipping and intrusion of U1 and bodily intrusion of U2 were observed during 0.1 mm of retraction and 0.23 mm of intrusion. With the additional intrusion on incisors, canine showed extrusion movement, and higher stresses on periodontal ligaments were shifted from U2 to canines. Incisors also exhibited different mesial-distal angulation in the three simulations, while posterior teeth all suffered mesial inclination. Incorporating intrusion displacement in clear aligners led to a tendency of lingual root movement during incisor retraction. The complexity of tooth movement should be recognized regarding clear aligner therapy.

Mechanisms of isoquercitrin attenuates ovalbumin glycation: Investigation by spectroscopy, spectrometry and molecular docking.

This research firstly investigated the inhibitory effect of isoquercitrin (ISQ) on Ovalbumin (OVA) glycation. The mechanism was elucidated through the interaction between OVA and ISQ, and changes in glycation sites and degree of each site as deduced by spectroscopy, spectrometry and molecular docking. ISQ significantly inhibited OVA glycation by attenuating the conformational change induced by glycation. It quenched the fluorescence of Trp via static mechanism, and exposed Trp residues to a more hydrophobic surroundings. Formation of OVA-ISQ complex was a endothermic processing driven by hydrophobic interactions, van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds. LC-Orbitrap-MS/MS revealed that ISQ altered the location of glycation and alleviated the glycation degree of most sites. Molecular docking results indicated that ISQ inserted into the hydrophobic pocket of OVA with six hydrogen bonds and one π-π stacking formed between ISQ and the amino acid residues of OVA, leading to the altered glycation activity of some sites.

Adherence to self-monitoring of blood glucose in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes: current status and influential factors based on electronic questionnaires.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is important to the management of diabetes mellitus, yet most patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) do not perform SMBG as recommended. The current status and influential factors of SMBG in China have not been well investigated. This study aimed to describe the present status of SMBG adherence in China and investigate the influential factors based on electronic questionnaires. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to July of 2017 at hospitals in Changsha, China. Seven hundred and twenty-one patients with T2DM completed the information­motivation­behavioral (IMB) skills questionnaire and other electronic questionnaires composed of demographic and clinical characteristics as well as diabetes-related and psychological scales. Univariate comparisons and multivariate logistic regression were used to explore the relationships among SMBG adherence and related factors. RESULTS: Seven hundred and twenty-one patients with valid questionnaires were included. Only 27.5% (198/721) of the patients with T2DM were SMBG adherent based on the guideline of the Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS) in 2017. Among all groups of treatment regimens, the rate of SMBG adherence was highest at 36.6% (82/224) in patients on oral hypoglycaemic drugs (OHAs). In multivariable analysis, the treatment of OHAs (OR =3.731, CI 2.162-6.437) and diet/exercise (OR =3.534, CI 1.841-6.783), the patient having their own blood glucose meter (OR =6.916, CI 4.054-11.800) and a higher education level (OR =3.780, CI 1.688-8.466) were significantly associated with SMBG adherence. CONCLUSION: Most Chinese patients with T2DM did not perform SMBG as recommended. The treatment of OHAs and diet/exercise, the patient having their own blood glucose meter, a higher education level and other factors were correlates of SMBG adherence. There is clearly a need for prospective, multicenter, large-scale studies to explore the reasons for patients' failure to practice SMBG adherence.

HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS profiling, antioxidant, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of Pyracantha fortuneana fruit extracts.

This study was carried out to optimize the solvent for extracting the antioxidants and α-glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) from Pyracantha fortuneana fruit (PFF) and the major chemical components were characterized by HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. The results showed that 50% and 70% acetone (v/v, ml/ml) gave the best extraction efficiency on phenolics and total flavonoids, while 70% acetone and 50% methanol possess better recovery on protein and polysaccharides, respectively. In addition, the 50% and 70% acetone extracts gave the strongest radical scavenging ability and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (p > 0.05), but the Fe3+ reducing power of the 50% acetone extract was higher than that of 70% acetone. Correlation analysis indicated that phenolic acids and flavonoids were connected to the antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity closely. Moreover, 25 compounds including 7 flavonoids, 6 phenolic acids, 7 organic acids, 3 tannins, 1 terpene, and 1 alkaloid were identified or tentatively identified in the 50% acetone extract. Overall, 50% acetone can be a proper solvent for extracting antioxidants and AGIs from PFF. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Imbalance between production and clearance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body could induce various chronic diseases. PFF is an edible fruit beneficial to human health; it is reported to be capable of optimizing blood glucose levels and may prevent premature aging. In the present study, PFF was found to be excellent in antioxidant activities and α-glucosidase inhibitory ability; 50% acetone was found to be the best extraction solvent. In addition, the predominant phytochemical components of the 50% acetone extract were characterized. This study can promote further research of Pyracantha fortuneana in natural functional products, especially in the prevention of type II diabetes and its complication.

Textiles/Metal-Organic Frameworks Composites as Flexible Air Filters for Efficient Particulate Matter Removal.

The health-threatening air pollution, especially from particulate matter (PM), has triggered increasing demands for developing low-cost and long-service-life air-cleaning technologies. In the present contribution, a range of high-efficiency textiles/metal-organic framework (MOF) composites (MOFs@textiles) air filters with excellent washable reusability is presented. By processing MOFs onto textile substrates via an eco-friendly solvent-free method to enable the microporous feature and also strong PM adhesion, we develop flexible, highly effective air filters with >95.00% PM removal efficiency (e.g., MiL-53(Al)@Aramid, PM2.5: 95.30%, PM10: 96.11%) under harmful air quality conditions (average PM2.5 mass concentration > 280 µg m-3 and PM10 > 360 µg m-3). Therefore, these MOFs@textiles are promising composites for producing efficient and recyclable out-/indoor air purifiers.

Insights into the Mechanism of Quercetin against BSA-Fructose Glycation by Spectroscopy and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry: Effect on Physicochemical Properties.

Quercetin has been reported to suppress protein glycation or the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), but the inhibition mechanism related to protein structure and glycation sites and the influence on physicochemical properties remain unclear. The aim of the current research was to investigate the mechanism of quercetin against glycation with BSA-fructose as model by spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques. Changes in physicochemical properties were evaluated by antioxidant activity and emulsifying properties. The results indicated that quercetin dose-dependently inhibited the glycation of BSA by attenuating the alteration of conformational structure and microenvironment induced by glycation. It could also suppress the cross-linking or aggregation of glycated BSA, which reflected in the decreased molecular weight determined by SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF. Nanoliquid chromatography coupled to Q-Exactive tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed the mapping of 20, 23, 19, and 19 glycation sites in glycated BSA with 0, 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0 mM quercetin, respectively. Quercetin changed the glycation sites of BSA, but it could not reduce the number greatly. In addition, quercetin reduced the antioxidant ability and increased the emulsifying properties of BSA, while negligible efficiency was observed on the antioxidant activity and emulsifying activity index of glycated BSA.

[Rho/ROCK signaling pathway and anti-cryodamage ability of human sperm].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway on the anti-cryodamage ability of human sperm and provide some theoretical evidence for the development of high-efficiency semen cryoprotectants. METHODS: We collected semen samples from 25 healthy males, each divided into a fresh, a normal cryopreservation control and an Rho-inhibition group. Before and after freezing, we detected sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity, morphology, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), acrosomal enzyme activity (AEA) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and determined the expressions of RhoA and ROCK proteins in the sperm by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Compared with the normal cryopreservation control, the frozen-thawed sperm of the Rho-inhibition group showed significantly increased sperm motility （ ï¼»51.20 ± 7.70ï¼½% vs ï¼»57.50 ± 6.83ï¼½%, P = 0.002), survival rate ( ï¼»52.87 ± 5.07ï¼½% vs ï¼»60.24 ± 5.53ï¼½%, P = 0.001), membrane integrity (ï¼»59.78±5.56ï¼½% vs ï¼»67.10 ± 4.43ï¼½%, P = 0.001), percentage of morphologically normal sperm (ï¼»4.83 ± 1.11ï¼½% vs ï¼»7.46 ± 1.28ï¼½, P = 0.001) and MMP (56.30 ± 4.28 vs 63.11 ± 2.97, P = 0.001), but decreased DFI (ï¼»27.64 ± 6.64ï¼½% vs ï¼»18.87 ± 4.07ï¼½%, P = 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the AEA of the frozen-thawed sperm between the control and Rho-inhibition groups (97.65 ± 9.31 vs 98.30 ± 11.33, P > 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining revealed extensive expressions of RhoA and ROCK proteins in the head and neck of the sperm. CONCLUSIONS: The Rho/ROCK signaling pathway plays a role in the cryodamage to human sperm, and inhibiting the activity of Rho/ROCK can significantly improve the ability of sperm to resist cryodamage.

Role of Diabetes Mellitus on Treatment Effects in Drug-susceptible Initial Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in China.

We assessed the role of diabetes mellitus (DM) on treatment effects in drug-susceptible initial pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients. A prospective study was conducted in eight provinces of China from October 2008 to December 2010. We enrolled 1,313 confirmed drug-susceptible initial PTB patients, and all subjects received the treatment regimen (2H3R3E3Z3/4H3R3) as recommended by the national guidelines. Of the 1,313 PTB patients, 157 (11.9%) had DM; these patients had more sputum smear-positive rates at the end of the second month [adjusted odds ratios (aOR) 2.829, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.783-4.490], and higher treatment failure (aOR 2.120, 95% CI 1.565-3.477) and death rates (aOR 1.536, 95% CI 1.011-2.628). DM was a contributing factor for culture-positive rates at the end of the second month and treatment failure and death of PTB patients, thus playing an unfavorable role in treatment effects of PTB.

Risk of Treatment Failure in Patients with Drug-susceptible Pulmonary Tuberculosis in China.

The objective of this prospective study of the risks of treatment failure in patients with drug-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) was to provide reference data to help develop a disease control strategy. Participants were recruited in eight provinces of China from October 2008 to December 2010. A total of 1447 patients with drug-susceptible PTB and older than 15 years of age were enrolled. Demographic characteristics, bacteriological test results, and patient outcome, i.e., cure or treatment failure were recorded and compared using the chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with risk of treatment failure. Of the 1447 patients who were enrolled, 1349 patients (93.2%) were successfully treated and 98 (6.8%) failed treatment. Failure was significantly associated with age 365 years [odds ratio (OR)=2.522, 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.097-5.801)], retreatment [OR=2.365, 95% CI: (1.276-4.381)], missed medicine [OR=1.836, 95% CI: (1.020-3.306)], treatment not observed [OR=1.879 95% CI: (1.105-3.195)], and positive culture result after the first [OR=1.971, 95% CI: (1.080-3.597)] and second month [OR=4.659, 95% CI: (2.590-8.382)]. The risk factors associated with treatment failure were age 365 years, retreatment, missed medication, treatment not observed, and positive culture at the end of month 1 or month 2. These risk factors should be monitored during treatment and interventions carried out to reduce or prevent treatment failure and optimize treatment success.

[Soft tissue angle evaluation of fixed Twin-Block appliance treatment and tooth extraction treatment in skeletal Class II malocclusion].

PURPOSE: This cephalometric study was designed to evaluate the soft tissue profile effects of Twin-Block combined with straight wire appliances in the treatment of skeletal Class II malocclusion with mandibular retrognathia in growing individuals by angulation. METHODS: The sample comprised 31 growing individuals with skeletal Class II and mandibular retrognathia, which were divided into 2 groups. One group (18 patients) was treated with fixed Twin-Block combined with fixed appliance， the other group (13 patients) was only treated with fixed appliance after tooth extraction. Pretreatment and posttreatment lateral cephalograms were taken before and after Twin-Block treatment and after all the fixed appliance treatment. Angular cephalometric measurements of soft tissue were analyzed statistically. Intragroup and intergroup changes of the 2 groups were evaluated by Student's t test using SPSS 15.0 software package. RESULTS: Significant difference of FH-N'Pg', G-Pn-Pg', LiSi-SN and SnLs-SiLi were discovered in both groups (P<0.05). With Twin-Block combined with fixed appliance, N'-Sn-Pg', Sn-N'-Si and Si-N'-S changed significantly, while LsSn-SN and Z angle differed significantly before and after treatment with extraction and fixed appliance. After treatment of Twin-Block combined with fixed appliance, Sn-N'-Si decreased significantly, and the difference between the change of the 2 groups was significant. Meanwhile LsSn-SN was stable in combined treatment group while it decreased greatly after extraction. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with extraction with fixed appliance treatment, Twin-Block combined with fixed appliance treatment is more favorable in promoting lower facial profile in growing skeletal Class II individuals with mandibular retrognathia.

[Soft tissue linear evaluation of fixed Twin-block appliance treatment and tooth extraction in skeletal Class II malocclusion].

PURPOSE: This cephalometric study was designed to evaluate the soft tissue profile effects of Twin-block combined with straight wire appliances to treat growing adolescents with skeletal Class II malocclusion and mandibular retrognathia. METHODS: The samples comprised 31 growing individuals with skeletal Class II and mandibular retrognathia. They were divided into 2 groups. The study group (18 patients) was treated with fixed Twin-block combined with fixed appliance, while the control group (13 patients) was only treated with fixed appliance after tooth extraction. Pretreatment and posttreatment lateral cephalograms were taken before and after Twin-block treatment and after all the fixed appliance treatment. Linear cephalometric measurements of soft tissue were analyzed statistically. Intragroup and intergroup changes of the 2 groups were evaluated using SPSS 15.0 software package. RESULTS: Significant changes of G'-Pg', Li-1, Si-B and Ls-E line between before and after treatment were found in the study group, while Li-1, Ls-E line and Li-E line changed significantly in control group. The change of Li-E line was different between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Twin-block combined with fixed appliance treatment is better than extraction with fixed appliance treatment in promoting lower facial profile in cases of skeletal Class II malocclusion and mandibular retrognathia with growth potentials.