[Research progress in targeting autophagy of traditional Chinese medicine and natural compounds to regulate atherosclerosis].

Atherosclerosis(AS) is the common pathological basis of many ischemic cardiovascular diseases, and its formation process involves various aspects such as vascular endothelial injury and platelet activation. Vascular endothelial injury is the initiating factor of AS plaque. Monocytes are recruited to differentiate into macrophages at the damaged endothelial cells, which absorb oxidized low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL) and slowly transform into foam cells. Smooth muscle cells(SMCs) proliferate and migrate continuously. As the only cell producing interstitial collagen fibers in the fibrous cap, SMCs largely determine whether the plaque ruptured or not. The amplifying inflammatory response during the formation of AS recruits platelets to adhere to the damaged area of vascular endothelium and stimulates excessive platelet aggregation. Autophagy activity is associated with vascular lesions and abnormal platelet activation, and excessive autophagy is considered to be a negative factor for plaque stability. Therefore, precise regulation of different types of vascular autophagy and platelet autophagy to treat AS may provide a new therapeutic perspective for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic ischemic cardiovascular disease. Currently, treatment strategies for AS still focus on lowering lipid levels with high-intensity statins, which often cause significant side effects. Therefore, the development of safer and more effective drugs and treatment modes is the focus of current research. Traditional Chinese medicine and natural compounds have the potential to treat AS by targeted autophagy, and have been playing an increasingly important role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in China. This paper summarizes the experimental studies on different vascular cell types and platelet autophagy in AS, and sums up the published research results on targeted autophagy of traditional Chinese medicine and natural plant compounds to regulate AS, providing new ideas for further research.

[Clinical study of the effect of fixed Twin-block on adolescent skeletal Class â ¡ malocclusion].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the retention ability of fixed Twin-block appliance and its clinical effect on adolescent skeletal ClassⅡmalocclusion. METHODS: Twenty-six skeletal ClassⅡdivision 1 adolescents (M:12, F: 14; age:11~13 years, average: 11.8 years) were chosen and fixed Twin-block appliance was used to guide the mandibular protrusion for one year. Before and after treatment, cephalometric films were taken to observe the skeletal, dental and soft tissue changes. Graphpad Prism 6.0 software was used for Student's t test. RESULTS: There was no loosening or destruction of the appliance during the treatment and the profile of all cases was improved significantly. The indexes that showed significant difference(P<0.05) included the mandibular length and position (Co-Gn, SNB, ANB, Pog-VL, Pos-VL) , the inclination and position of the maxillary incisors(U1-VL, U1-SN), the sagittal position of the mandibular dentition(L1-VL, L6-VL). The indexes that showed insignificant difference(P>0.05) included the mandibular plane(MP-SN), the length and position of the maxilla (SNA, A-VL) , the vertical position of the maxillary incisor(U1-HL), the position of the maxillary posterior teeth(U6-VL, U6-HL), the mandibular incisor inclination(IMPA) and the vertical position of the mandibular dentition(L6-MP,L1-MP). CONCLUSIONS: Fixed Twin-block appliance can enhance the mandibular anchorage, effectively promote the mandibular growth and improve the facial profile.

Verrucosispora rhizosphaerae sp. nov., isolated from mangrove rhizosphere soil.

An actinomycete strain, 2603PH03T, was isolated from a mangrove rhizosphere soil sample collected in Wenchang, China. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain 2603PH03T indicated high similarity to Verrucosispora gifthornensis DSM 44337T (99.4%), Verrucosispora andamanensis (99.4%), Verrucosispora fiedleri MG-37T (99.4%) and Verrucosispora maris AB18-032T (99.4%). The cell wall was found to contain meso-diaminopimelic acid and glycine. The major menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H4), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H8), with MK-9(H2), MK-10(H2), MK-9(H10) and MK-10(H6) as minor components. The characteristic whole cell sugars were found to be xylose and mannose. The phospholipid profile was found to contain phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine and an unidentified phospholipid. The DNA G+C content was determined to be 70.1 mol%. The results of physiological and biochemical tests and low DNA-DNA relatedness readily distinguished the isolate from the closely related species. On the basis of these phenotypic and genotypic data, strain 2603PH03T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Verrucosispora, for which the name Verrucosispora rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 2603PH03T (=CCTCC AA 2016023T = DSM 45673T).

[Study on the practice and effect of target teaching method in teaching of dental technology interns].

PURPOSE: To standardize the teaching process of interns in dental technology so as to make the learning progress and process goals more clearly and improve the teaching quality. METHODS: Thirty-two junior interns were selected from medical colleges and universities from 2014 to 2017, based on same learning ability, learning attitude, learning achievement and hands-on ability ，they were randomly divided into 2 groups. The experimental group adopted the goal teaching method, using relevant teaching materials, applying theory to practice closely, and trying to standardize practice. The control group entered the production lines directly without teaching materials, the students were all owed only to see, think and manipulate. The data were analyzed with SPSS 18.0 software package. RESULTS: The exam scores of the students in the experimental group were significantly higher than that of the students in the control group. Moreover, the satisfaction with the teaching methods of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The target teaching method is effective in teaching dental technology. Students clearly understand the study progress, process goals and their operational performance is significantly improved.

[A short term clinical evaluation of IPS e.max Press all-ceramic crowns].

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effect of IPS e.max Press crowns. METHODS: A total of 127 IPS e.max Press crowns was placed in forty-one patients from 2007 to 2009. The crowns were evaluated with a modified USPHS criteria for color match, marginal discoloration, fracture, secondary caries, marginal adaptation and gingival health for a period of 12 to 42 months, with a mean of 28 months after insertion. A,B,C and D ratings were assigned. RESULTS: 94.49% of the crowns were rated as A and 5.51% rated as B for color match and marginal adaptation. 1.57% of the crowns was detected with marginal discoloration and one crown(0.79%) was detected with veneer chipping. No secondary caries was detected, and 93.70% of the crowns were rated as A, 4.72% rated as B and 1.58% rated as C for gingival health. CONCLUSION: IPS e.max Press crowns exhibit excellent clinical performance over a mean evaluation period of 28 months.