The clinical efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this meta-analysis was to summarize and identify the available evidence from studies to estimate the clinical value of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and provides clinicians with evidence on which to base their clinical decision making. METHODS: This review will include all studies comparing clinical efficacy of TCM in the treatment of RAS. The search strategy will be performed in 9 databases. We will not establish any limitations to language and publication status, published from inception to the August 2020. Two reviewers will screen, select studies, extract data, and assess quality independently. Outcome is clinical efficacy, pain relief, duration of wound healing, effect on wound healing, rate of recurrence, adverse events, and safety. The methodological quality including the risk of bias of the included studies will be evaluated. We will carry out statistical analysis using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: This study will summarize current evidence to assess the efficacy and safety of TCM in the treatment of RAS. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study will provide helpful evidence for the clinician, and will promote further studies, as well as studying the value of TCM. REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202080126 (DOI number: 10.37766/inplasy2020.8.0126).

LncRNA CASC 2 is upregulated in aphthous stomatitis and predicts the recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common oral disease with unknown molecular pathogenesis. Our preliminary microarray analysis revealed the altered expression of lncRNA Cancer Susceptibility Gene 2 (CASC2) in RAS. We therefore analyzed the role of CASC2 in RAS. METHODS: In this study, plasma samples were obtained from RAS patients and healthy participants. Plasma levels of CASC2 were measured by RT-qPCR. Plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-18 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A follow-up study was performed to analyze the role of CASC2 in the recurrence of RAS. RESULTS: In the present study, we found that lncRNA Cancer Susceptibility Gene 2 (CASC2), as well as pro-inflammatory factors interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 18 (IL-18), were upregulated in plasma of RAS patients compared with healthy participants. Plasma levels of lncRNA CASC2 were positively correlated with plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-18 in RAS patients but not in healthy participants. Compared with pre-treatment levels, plasma levels of lncRNA CASC2, IL-6 and IL-18 were reduced after recovery. A follow-up study showed that patients with high levels of lncRNA CASC2 had a significantly higher recurrence rate. CONCLUSION: LncRNA CASC 2 is upregulated in RAS and predicts the recurrence.

Effect of heat treatment on fracture toughness K(IC) and microstructure of a fluorcanasite-based glass-ceramic.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the increase in fracture toughness of a fluorcanasite-based glass-ceramic is a linear function of crystal volume fraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 specimen bars (20 x 5 x 2 mm(3)) were cut from parent glass blocks, polished, annealed, randomly divided into six groups, nucleated at 680 degrees C/4 hr, and crystallized at the following temperatures and times: (1) 850 degrees C/0.5 hr, (2) 850 degrees C/1 hr, (3) 850 degrees C/3 hr, (4) 750 degrees C/6 hr, (5) 800 degrees C/6 hr, or (6) 850 degrees C/6 hr. Indentation flaws were produced by a microhardness indenter at the center of one surface, and the prepared specimens were subjected to three-point flexure loading with the severely flawed surface under tension at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Flexural strength and fracture toughness (K(IC)) were calculated based on the indentation-strength technique. Crystal volume fraction (V(c)) was determined by quantitative stereology of scanning electron images of each group of ceramic specimens. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Duncan's multiple comparison test (alpha= 0.05). RESULTS: The mean K(IC) and V(c) values ranged from 2.7 to 3.9 MPa m(1/2) and 37% to 71% within the crystallization temperature range of 750 to 850 degrees C. Five statistical subsets of groups 1, 2/4, 3, 5, and 6 were determined as a function of crystallization temperature and holding time (Duncan's multiple comparison analysis; alpha= 0.05). The lowest and highest K(IC) and V(c) values were associated with Groups 1 (850 degrees C/0.5 hr) and 6 (850 degrees C/6 hr), respectively. Fracture toughness increased linearly as a function of crystal volume fraction (correlation coefficient R(2)= 0.67). The fracture toughness increased by 45% when the crystal volume fraction increased by 92%. CONCLUSIONS: Mean K(IC) values increased as a linear function of crystal volume fraction in a fluorcanasite-based glass-ceramic within the crystallization temperature range of 750 to 850 degrees C and at isothermal crystallization time range of 0.5 to 6 hours. The control of crystallization temperature and isothermal holding time should be optimized to generate tougher, more reliable ceramic prostheses in the shortest period of time.

[Study on the associated risk factors of rheumatic pain: a ILAR-China, WHO COPCORD Shantou study].

OBJECTIVE: To validate the difference on the prevalence of rheumatic symptoms between north and south parts of the country and to study the associated risk factors of rheumatic complaints in Shantou city, China. METHODS: A total number of 10 638 people at above 16 years of age from four samples, were surveyed in 1987, 1992, 1995, and 1999. Protocol of International League Against Rheumatism (ILAR)-China collaborative study or WHO-ILAR community oriented program for control of rheumatic disease(COPCORD) core questionnaire was implemented. Data on related rheumatic symptoms were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of rheumatic complaints had been increasing in Shantou area during the last decade (in 1987 11.6%, 1992 12.5%, 1995 16.0% and 1999 19.8%) but still lower than that seen in Beijing, China in 1987(40.0%). Rheumatic symptoms were more prevalent in females than in males, in elderly than in young people with most frequently involved site happened in low back area, followed by knee and neck. Lumbar pain was more frequent among rural residents, while neck pain was more prevalent in urban school students. Prevalence of knee pain was significantly higher in people living in multi-storey buildings without elevator than those living in single-storey houses. The peak values of Bone Mineral Density in Shantou population were (0.839 +/- 0.085) g/cm2 in men, and (0.723 +/- 0.064) g/cm2 in women, significantly higher than that reported in 13 other provinces and cities including Beijing. The sense of seeking for medical help was higher in population with higher prevalence of rheumatic symptoms than that in lower complaints group. However, no significant difference was found in the rates of disability among the different populations. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rate of rheumatic complaints was lower in Shantou than that in Beijing. Socio-economic status, environment, sex, age, occupation, ergonomics, bone mineral density, and awareness of seeking medical care might have been the associated risk factors to the prevalence of rheumatic complaints.

Effect of nucleation temperature on fracture toughness (KIC) of fluorcanasite-based glass-ceramic.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that nucleation temperature significantly affects the fracture toughness of a fluorcanasite-based glass-ceramic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty specimens were cut from a glass bar, polished, and randomly divided into six groups for nucleation treatment at temperatures of (1) 520 degrees C, (2) 550 degrees C, (3) 580 degrees C, (4) 610 degrees C, (5) 640 degrees C, and (6) 670 degrees C for 4 hours and a crystallization temperature of 850 degrees C for 6 hours. A precrack was produced at the center of each bar, and the prepared specimens were subjected to three-point flexural loading with the cracked surface under tension using an Instron machine at a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/min. Fracture toughness was calculated based on the indentation strength technique, and crystal volume fraction was determined by quantitative stereology of SEM images of each group of ceramic specimens. RESULTS: The mean fracture toughness and crystal volume fraction ranged from 2.6 to 3.5 MPa x m1/2 and from 65% to 81%, respectively, within the limits of the nucleation temperatures investigated. ANOVA showed statistically significant differences among the test groups. Based on Duncan's multiple comparison test, significant differences in mean fracture toughness and crystal volume fraction were found among the following statistical subsets: groups 1 to 4, group 5, and group 6. CONCLUSION: Fracture toughness and crystal volume fraction of a fluorcanasite-based glass-ceramic were strongly influenced by nucleation temperature; the crystals precipitated during thermal processing are thought to be an important factor in increasing fracture toughness.