Gut Microbiota and Other Factors Associated With Increased Regulatory T Cells in Hiv-exposed Uninfected Infants.

HIV-exposed uninfected infants (HEU) have higher infectious morbidity than HIV-unexposed infants (HUU). HEU have multiple immune defects of unknown origin. We hypothesized that HEU have higher regulatory T cells (Treg) than HUU, which may dampen their immune defenses against pathogens. We compared 25 Treg subsets between HEU and HUU and sought the factors that may affect Treg frequencies. At birth, 3 Treg subsets, including CD4 + FOXP3 + and CD4 + FOXP3 + CD25+, had higher frequencies in 123 HEU than 117 HUU and 3 subsets were higher in HUU. At 28 and 62 weeks of life, 5 Treg subsets were higher in HEU, and none were higher in HUU. The frequencies of the discrepant Treg subsets correlated at birth with differential abundances of bacterial taxas in maternal gut microbiome and at subsequent visits in infant gut microbiomes. In vitro, bacterial taxa most abundant in HEU expanded Treg subsets with higher frequencies in HEU, recapitulating the in vivo observations. Other factors that correlated with increased Treg were low maternal CD4 + T cells in HEU at birth and male sex in HUU at 28 weeks. We conclude that maternal and infant gut dysbiosis are central to the Treg increase in HEU and may be targeted by mitigating interventions.

The transalveolar approach with the small segmentation method for inclined maxillary sinus floor elevation: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical outcome of the transalveolar approach with the small segmentation method for inclined maxillary sinus floor elevation. METHODS: Sixty-one patients with an inclined maxillary sinus floor (tilt angle ≥ 10°) and insufficient residual bone height in the posterior maxilla were included and grouped according to the tilt angle of the sinus floor, with group A having patients with the tilt angle ≥ 10° and ≤ 30° and group B having patients with the tilt angle > 30°. After completing sinus membrane elevation and bone augmentation using bone substitute materials, the implants were inserted at the same appointment, and the restoration was completed after 5-6 months of osseointegration. The preoperative sinus floor level and sinus floor elevation achieved postoperatively were assessed and recorded. At pre- and post-operative timepoints, the sagittal plane of the cone beam computed tomography was used to evaluate the bone height changes at the peak, middle and valley points in the slope segment intended for implant implantation. RESULTS: Osseointegration was evident in all 61 patients, and the final restoration was completed with functional loading. After assessing the normality and homogeneity of variance, two-sample t-test or nonparametric tests were employed to estimate the differences in the bone height changes. The degrees of freedom (df) for this analysis were 59. The elevation attained at the middle point in groups A and B were 6.71 ± 1.38 and 5.75 ± 1.56 mm, respectively, demonstrating a significant difference (p < 0.05). Furthermore, at the peak and valley points, group A exhibited bone height changes of 5.79 ± 1.74 and 6.06 ± 1.45 mm, respectively, compared to group B with changes measuring 4.63 ± 2.18 and 5.58 ± 2.39 mm, respectively, with no significant difference in the two groups (p ≥ 0.05). The prevalence of intraoperative sinus membrane perforation was assessed using the chi-square test. It was found that four cases in group A and five cases in group B experienced sinus membrane perforation, with no significant difference in the two groups (p ≥ 0.05, df = 1). CONCLUSION: The transalveolar approach using the small segmentation method suggests a promising approach for elevating the inclined maxillary sinus floor.

40-Hz auditory steady-state response deficits are correlated with the severity of persistent auditory verbal hallucination in patients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal 40 Hz auditory steady-state response (ASSR) has been observed in some psychiatric disorders. Nevertheless, the role of 40 Hz ASSR in persistent auditory verbal hallucinations (pAVHs) schizophrenia (SCZ) is still unknown. This study aims to investigate whether the 40 Hz ASSR impairment is related to pAVHs and can detect pAVHs severity. METHODS: We analyzed high-density electroencephalography data that from 43 pAVHs patients (pAVH group), 20 moderate auditory verbal hallucinations patients (mid-AVH group), and 24 without auditory verbal hallucinations patients (non-AVH group). Event-related spectral perturbation and inter-trial phase coherence (ITPC) were calculated to quantify dynamic changes of the 40 Hz ASSR power and ITPC, respectively. RESULTS: Frontal-central, the 40 Hz ASSR power, and ITPC were significantly lower in the pAVH group than in the non-AVH group; There was no significant difference between the pAVH and mid-AVH group. The 40 Hz ASSR was significantly negatively correlated with the severity of pAVHs. The 40 Hz ASSR power, and ITPC could be used as a combinational marker to detect SCZ patients with and without pAVHs. CONCLUSION: Our findings have shed light on the pathological mechanism of pAVHs in SCZ patients. These results can provide potential avenues for therapeutic intervention of pAVHs.

Cytomegalovirus in biliary atresia is associated with increased pretransplant death, but not decreased native liver survival.

BACKGROUND: Biliary atresia (BA) is likely caused by a common phenotypic response to various triggers; one proposed trigger, cytomegalovirus (CMV), may lead to worse outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the severity of disease and pretransplant outcomes of infants with BA, who have evidence of CMV (CMV+) at diagnosis compared with CMV-negative (CMV-) infants. METHODS: The study used data and biospecimens from the Childhood Liver Disease Research Network PROBE study of cholestatic infants. Plasma obtained at the time of hepatic portoenterostomy (HPE) of 249 infants with BA was tested for CMV by DNA-PCR and CMV-IgM. Comparisons between CMV+ and CMV- infants were made using Wilcoxon rank sum, Student t test, chi-square, or Fisher exact test. Native liver survival (NLS) outcomes were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression adjusting for age at HPE; pretransplant patient survival outcomes were analyzed using a competing risk model and adjusting for age at HPE. RESULTS: CMV+ infants (n = 29, 12%) underwent HPE later (67.8±13.6 d vs. 55.1±18.5 d, p = 0.0005) and had higher baseline alkaline phosphatase and aminotransferases. There was no difference between groups in jaundice clearance or NLS. The subdistribution HR of pretransplant death for CMV+ infants adjusted for age at HPE was 3.8 (p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: CMV infection at the time of HPE in infants with BA is not associated with worse NLS despite the association with worse liver injury, older age at HPE, and increased risk of pretransplant death adjusted for age at HPE. Continued evaluation of the consequences of CMV infection and the effects of antiviral treatment should be explored.

Cytotoxicity Induced by Black Phosphorus Nanosheets in Vascular Endothelial Cells via Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis Activation.

Black phosphorus (BP), an emerging two-dimensional material with unique optical, thermoelectric, and mechanical properties, has been proposed as bioactive material for tissue engineering. However, its toxic effects on physiological systems remain obscure. The present study investigated the cytotoxicity of BP to vascular endothelial cells. BP nanosheets (BPNSs) with a diameter of 230 nm were fabricated via a classical liquid-phase exfoliation method. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used to determine the cytotoxicity induced by BPNSs (0.31-80 µg/mL). When the concentrations were over 2.5 µg/mL, BPNSs adversely affected the cytoskeleton and cell migration. Furthermore, BPNSs caused mitochondrial dysfunction and generated excessive intercellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) at tested concentrations after 24 h. BPNSs could influence the expression of apoptosis-related genes, including the P53 and BCL-2 family, resulting in the apoptosis of HUVECs. Therefore, the viability and function of HUVECs were adversely influenced by the concentration of BPNSs over 2.5 µg/mL. These findings provide significant information for the potential applications of BP in tissue engineering.

One-Abutment at One-Time in Posterior Edentulism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the clinical significance of one-abutment at one-time protocol in healed posterior edentulism. METHODS: An online search was undertaken in November 2022, which included PubMed, Cochrane Library, Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar in addition to manual searching. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was performed to assess the quality of selected articles. Marginal bone loss (MBL) was estimated by the performance of meta-analysis. Moreover, all the pooled analyses were based on random-effect models. Subgroup analysis was applied to evaluate the effects of different variables. RESULTS: In line with the inclusion criteria, 6 trials with 446 dental implants were identified. The meta-analysis showed a total of 0.22 mm less MBL within 6 months and decreased by 0.30 mm at 1-year follow-up in favor of one-abutment at one-time protocol. A significant loss MBL was found in implants placed equicrestally using one-abutment at one-time protocol [6 months: mean difference (MD): -0.22 mm; 95% CI, -0.34 to 0.10 mm, P =0.0004; 12 months: MD: -0.32 mm; 95% CI, -0.40 to -0.24 mm, P <0.00001), whereas no difference was found between 2 groups in an implant placed subscrestally (6 months: MD: 0.14 mm; 95% CI, -0.03 to 0.22 mm; P =0.11; 12 months: MD: -0.12 mm; 95% CI, -0.32 to 0.08 mm; P =0.23). CONCLUSIONS: Implant platform position might greatly affect the marginal bone level. Moreover, one-abutment at one-time protocol demonstrated better bone preservation in implants placed equicrestally in healed posterior edentulism. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study highlights the significant clinical application of one-abutment at one-time protocol in healed posterior edentulism.

Response of Human Gingival Fibroblasts and Porphyromonas gingivalis to UVC-Activated Titanium Surfaces.

Ultraviolet (UV) photofunctionalization has been demonstrated to synergistically improve the osteoblast response and reduce biofilm formation on titanium (Ti) surfaces. However, it remains obscure how photofunctionalization affects soft tissue integration and microbial adhesion on the transmucosal part of a dental implant. This study aimed to investigate the effect of UVC (100-280 nm) pretreatment on the response of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. g.) to Ti-based implant surfaces. The smooth and anodized nano-engineered Ti-based surfaces were triggered by UVC irradiation, respectively. The results showed that both smooth and nano-surfaces acquired super hydrophilicity without structural alteration after UVC photofunctionalization. UVC-activated smooth surfaces enhanced the adhesion and proliferation of HGFs compared to the untreated smooth ones. Regarding the anodized nano-engineered surfaces, UVC pretreatment weakened the fibroblast attachment but had no adverse effects on proliferation and the related gene expression. Additionally, both Ti-based surfaces could effectively inhibit P. g. adhesion after UVC irradiation. Therefore, the UVC photofunctionalization could be more potentially favorable to synergistically improve the fibroblast response and inhibit P. g. adhesion on the smooth Ti-based surfaces.

Application of soft tissue augmentation in labial contour aesthetics of anterior dental implants / 口腔疾病防治

@#After tooth extraction, labial contour collapses due to inevitable physiologic bone remodeling. To achieve optimal outcomes for pink esthetic treatment at anterior implant sites, bone or soft tissue augmentation has been advocated to maintain or reconstruct the labial tissue contour. When choosing soft tissue augmentation for esthetic restoration, it is necessary to strictly grasp the indications for surgery. Soft tissue augmentation to maintain or reconstruct the labial tissue contour could be considered in patients with healthy soft tissue and no bone defects or only mild horizontal bone defects. In immediate, early and late implant placement, the timing of soft tissue augmentation may vary. In immediate implantation, the labial bone plate is intact, so it is highly recommended to simultaneously manage soft tissue during implant placement. However, patients may have large bone defects with early or late implant placement. The risk of augmenting bone and soft tissue simultaneously is likely too high, and bone augmentation surgery is often performed at the first stage while soft tissue augmentation surgery is performed at the second stage. Therefore, soft tissue surgery is often carried out simultaneously with abutment connection. Currently, soft tissue augmentation is achieved mostly with adjacent autologous soft tissue grafts, such as free gingival grafts, subepithelial connective tissue grafts or pedicle palatal flaps, which are often accompanied by a second surgical area. The replacement of autogenous soft tissue grafting with new biological materials will become an inevitable trend. In this article, we analyze and summarize the indications, timing and different methods of soft tissue augmentation to maintain and reconstruct the labial contour.

Preoperative online intervention to dental anxiety in patients with transcrestal sinus floor elevation.

OBJECTIVE: Dental anxiety (DA) is a frequent and widespread phenomenon worldwide. There are few studies that have discussed the preoperative intervention of dental anxiety. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical efficacy of an online intervention to improve understanding and reduce dental anxiety in patients with transcrestal sinus floor elevation (TSFE) and to explore the correlation between patients' understanding and dental anxiety, pain perception, and satisfaction. METHOD AND MATERIALS: This prospective randomized controlled trial enrolled patients who underwent TSFE and simultaneous implant placement. Patients were randomly allocated to the preoperative online intervention group (test group) and the non-online intervention group (control group). Two patient interview topic guide questionnaires were utilized to assess the extent and source of patients' understanding of the treatment process after a consultation at the hospital (T1) and prior to the surgery (T2). The preoperative dental anxiety was also assessed using the modified Corah dental anxiety scale (MDAS) at T1 and T2. All patients used the visual analog scale to describe their pain perception and satisfaction with the treatment process immediately after surgery (T3). A correlation analysis was performed to analyze the interrelationship between patient understanding, dental anxiety, pain perception, and satisfaction. RESULTS: At T1, both groups were homogenous in their knowledge of the TSFE procedure and preoperative dental anxiety. At T2, the test group showed a better understanding of the TSFE procedure and lower preoperative dental anxiety than that of T1 and the control group at T2. Pain perception was significantly lower in the test group than in the control group at T3. Patients in the test group expressed significantly greater satisfaction with the treatment process than the control test group. There was a negative correlation between patients' understanding and preoperative dental anxiety. A positive correlation between preoperative dental anxiety and pain perception was found with a significant difference. Patients' satisfaction was positively correlated with understanding and negatively correlated with pain perception. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative online intervention effectively increased patients' understanding of the treatment process. This resulted in decreased preoperative dental anxiety, decreased pain perception, and greater postoperative satisfaction from patients who underwent TSFE. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Online medical care can be considered as an auxiliary tool to improve the effect of implant surgery.

Apatite-forming ability of sandblasted and acid-etched titanium surfaces modified by ultraviolet irradiation: An in vitro study.

INTRODUCTION: Contamination of large grit sandblasting and acid-etching (SLA) with hydrocarbons make the surface hydrophobic and influence its bioactivity. Preservation in dH2O (modified SLA, modSLA) and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation were proven to be effective in decreasing hydrocarbon contamination and keeping the SLA surface hydrophilic. AIMS: The aim of this study was to detect the in vitro bioactivity of SLA, modSLA and UV-SLA surfaces. DESIGN: The SBF model was used to compare the bone-like apatite forming ability. SETTING: The experiment was conducted at Southern Medical University. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The quantity of apatite was assessed by SEM and weighed on an electronic balance. The elemental composition and crystal phase were assessed by EDS and XRD analysis, respectively. RESULTS: The sediments that completely covered the modSLA and UV-SLA surfaces after 4 weeks of soaking reached 3.23 ± 0.35 mg and 2.13 ± 0.95 mg, respectively. They were eight- and five-fold than that on the SLA surface (0.43 ± 0.15 mg) with statistical significance (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). EDS and XRD tests recognized the sediments on the modSLA and UV-SLA surfaces as apatite with similar elemental compositions, Ca/P ratios and crystal phases. DISCUSSION: Hydrophilicity and abundant hydroxyl groups drive modSLA and UV-SLA surfaces to absorb more Ca2+ to accelerate the formation of apatite. CONCLUSION: SLA preservation in dH2O and UV irradiation were recognized as trustworthy methods to acquire greater bioactivity of the SLA surface.

ß-elemene inhibits non-small cell lung cancer cell migration and invasion by inactivating the FAK-Src pathway.

Despite sustained effort, the prognosis of lung cancer remains poor and the therapeutic responses are limited. Cell movement ability is a prerequisite for lung cancer metastasis, which involves focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-mediated cell migration and invasion via complex formation with Src. Hence, FAK-Src signaling might be an effective target for anti-cancer treatment. ß-elemene, the major component of elemene extracted from Curcuma Rhizoma, exhibits broad-spectrum anti-tumor properties. However, the role of ß-elemene in lung cancer cell motility and its possible mechanism remain unknown. Herein, the role of ß-elemene in the migration and invasion of two non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines was investigated by performing wound-healing and Transwell assays. The mRNA expression levels of genes associated with motility, including RhoA, Rac1, Cac42, matrix metalloprotease (MMP)2 and MMP9, were examined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. To determine whether ß-elemene acts through FAK-Src signaling, western blotting was performed and the levels of phosphorylated FAK and Src were detected. The results indicated that ß-elemene inhibited the migration and invasion of A549 and NCI-H1299 (H1299) cells, while the motility-associated genes were de-regulated following exposure to ß-elemene. Furthermore, ß-elemene decreased the activity of FAK and Src. Overall, these results suggest that ß-elemene potentially inhibits NSCLC through FAK-Src signaling.

Retraction of "Biological Effects of Titanium Surface Charge with a Focus on Protein Adsorption".

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c02518.].

Application of the socket shield technique and its potential risks / 口腔疾病防治

@#The rapid absorption of labial alveolar bone after tooth extraction not only reduces the aesthetic effect of implant repair but also affects the long-term success rate of implants. The socket shield technique is reported as the latest alveolar preservation technique in the aesthetic zone from both domestic and international case reports and shows a high success rate of short-term osseointegration and excellent aesthetic effects. However, some investigations have shown short- and long-term complications with the socket shield technique, such as failure of osseointegration, loss of crestal bone and buccal bone, inflammation, etc. In this review, the socket shield technique will be reported in detail with its pros and cons. Although the socket shield technique has achieved good clinical effects and short-term success rates in many cases, there are still no conclusions regarding the surgical procedure, such as the thickness, the position of the shield, whether to put the graft material between the shield and implant, etc. Due to the lack of long-term research or a large amount of clinical literature support and technical sensitivity, the socket shield technique should be carefully used in clinical application to reduce unexpected risks.

Biological Effects of Titanium Surface Charge with a Focus on Protein Adsorption.

The effect of changes in surface charge on the biological properties of implants is not clear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biological properties of the surface of titanium sheets with different charges due to different treatment methods. Titanium sheets were sandblasted with large grit and underwent acid etching before being subsequently divided into the following groups: SLA, no further treatment; SLA-Ca2+, immersed in 1% CaCl2 solution; SLA-NaCl, immersed in saline; and SLA-Ca2+-NaCl, immersed in 1% CaCl2 solution followed by saline. Surface characteristics were evaluated using field-emission scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectrometry, surface profilometry, and contact angle assays. Additionally, we used a ζ-potential analyzer to directly measure the electrostatic charge on the different group surfaces. The effect of changes in the Ti surface on biological processes after different treatments was determined by analyzing fibronectin adsorption, osteoblast-like MG63 cell adhesion and proliferation, and the expression of osteogenesis-related genes. Compared to the SLA surface, the other three groups contained corresponding trace elements because they were soaked in different liquids; the contact angles of the three groups were not significantly different, but they were significantly smaller than that of the SLA group; and there was no change in the surface topography or roughness. Furthermore, the SLA-Ca2+ group had a significantly reduced negative charge compared to that of the other three groups. There were no differences between the SLA-NaCl and SLA-Ca2+-NaCl groups in terms of negative charge, and the SLA group surface carried the most negative charge. Fibronectin adsorption capacity and cytological performance testing further showed that the SLA-Ca2+ group had the most significant change, followed by the SLA-NaCl and SLA-Ca2+-NaCl groups; the SLA group had significantly lower capacity and performance than the other three groups. These results suggest that the surface charge of the titanium sheet changed when immersed in different liquids and that this treatment enhanced biocompatibility by reducing the electrostatic repulsion between biomaterials and biomolecules.

[Relationship between perirenal adipose tissue neuropeptide Y and insulin resistance in nutritional transition model].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of neuropeptide Y(NPY) expression in perirenal adipose tissue and its relationship with insulin resistance in the nutritional transition models of refeeding after calorie restriction. METHODS: SPF Male SD rats, aged 8 weeks, were randomly divided into normal chow group and refeeding with normal chow after calorie restriction for 4 weeks group. NPY gene expression in perirenal adipose tissue were detected by real-time quantitative PCR at the end of 4 and 12 weeks, along with fasting plasma glucose, fasting serum lisulin, free fatty acids and average glucose infusion rate(GIR_(60-120)) of hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp test for 60-120 minutes. NPY gene mRNA expression in perirenal adipose tissue was detected by real-time quantitative PCR. And the relationship between NPY gene expression and insulin resistance was detected by Spearman correlation analysis. RESULTS: The expression level of NPY gene in perirenal adipose tissue in caloric restriction for 4 weeks group was significantly increased by calorie restriction(P<0. 01). After refeeding, the expression level of NPY gene in refeeding with normal group was still slightly increased, which was significantly higher than that in normal group at the end of the experiment(P<0. 01). The levels of fasting plasma glucose and fasting insulin in caloric restriction for 4 weeks group decreased slightly, GIR_(60-120) increased slightly, but there were no statistical differences compared with normal group(P>0. 05), but free fatty acid levels increased significantly(P<0. 01). After refeeding, the levels of fasting insulin, free fatty acid in refeeding with normal group increased significantly, GIR_(60-120) decreased evidently(P<0. 01), but the changes of fasting blood glucose were not obvious. The result of stepwise regression showed that the expression level of NPY gene in perirenal adipose tissue was closely related to GIR_(60-120) and fasting insulin, with R values of-0. 816 and 0. 789 respectively(R~2=0. 892, P<0. 01). The result of correlation analysis showed that in the 4-week group, the mRNA expression level of NPY gene in perirenal adipose tissue was closely related to GIR_( 60-120)、fasting insulin and free fatty acid, with R values of-0. 765, 0. 716 and 0. 657 respectively(P<0. 01). In the 12 week group, the mRNA expression level of NPY gene in perirenal adipose tissue was closely related to GIR_(60-120), fasting insulin and free fatty acid, with R values of-0. 853, 0. 622 and 0. 608 respectively(P<0. 01). CONCLUSION: The mRNA expression of NPY gene in perirenal adipose tissue was closely related to indicators of insulin resistance. It is an important factor affecting insulin sensitivity.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus Exposure but Not Early Cytomegalovirus Infection Is Associated With Increased Hospitalization and Decreased Memory T-Cell Responses to Tetanus Vaccine.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-exposed, uninfected (HEU) infants experience high rates of infectious morbidity. We hypothesized that early cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was associated with increased hospitalization rates and decreased vaccine responses in HEU compared with HIV-unexposed (HUU) infants. METHODS: Among infants enrolled in the Tshipidi study in Botswana, we determined CMV infection status by 6 months of age and compared hospitalization rates and responses to tetanus and Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccines among HEU and HUU vaccinees. RESULTS: Fifteen of 226 (6.6%) HEU infants and 17 (19.3%) of 88 HUU infants were CMV-infected by 6 months. The HEU infants were approximately 3 times as likely to be hospitalized compared with HUU infants (P = .02). The HEU peripheral blood cells produced less interleukin (IL)-2 (P = .004), but similar amounts of interferon-γ, after stimulation with tetanus toxoid. Antitetanus immunoglobulin G titers were similar between groups. Cellular responses to purified protein derivative stimulation did not differ between groups. Maternal receipt of 3-drug antiretroviral therapy compared with zidovudine was associated with increased IL-2 expression after tetanus toxoid stimulation. The infants' CMV infection status was not associated with clinical or vaccine response outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that increased rates of hospitalization and decreased memory T-cell responses to tetanus vaccine were associated with HIV exposure and incomplete treatment of maternal HIV infection, but not early CMV infection.

Genome-wide identification of chemosensory receptor genes in the small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus.

The small brown planthopper (SBPH), Laodelphax striatellus is one of the major insect pests of rice, but little is known about the molecular-level means by which it locates its hosts. SBPH host-seeking behavior heavily relies on chemosensory receptors (CRs). In this study, we utilized genome analysis of the SBPH to identify 169 CRs, including: 133 odorant receptors (ORs), 13 gustatory receptors (GRs) and 23 ionotropic receptors (IRs). The phylogenetic relationships of OR genes from three rice planthoppers and other insect species revealed that the odorant co-receptor (Orco) clade is the most conserved group. Among the candidate GRs, two sugar receptors and five fructose receptors have been identified but no carbon dioxide receptors investigated. Furthermore, we identified homologs of the three highly conserved IR co-receptors. The obtained results will provide us with precious information needed to better understand the interaction between insect pests and crop plants required for effective crop protection.

The effect of the RW-splint on the position and occlusal relationship of class Ⅱ malocclusion patients with temporomandibular disorder / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To explore the effect of RW splints on the position and occlusal relationship of classⅡ malocclusion patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) to provide a basis for the diagnosis and design of this kind of patient. @*Methods @#Fifteen patients with class Ⅱ malocclusions with TMD were enrolled in this study. After 8 months of RW-splint treatment, the changes in jaw position (∠ANB, SN-MP, ∠S-G0/N-Me) and occlusal relationship (molar, cuspid teeth displacement and anterior overbite/overjet value) were recorded by a condylar displacement measuring instrument at the CR position and CO position.@*Results@#After RW-splint treatment, the mean values of ∠ANB (t=4.971, P=0.001) and ∠SN-MP (t=9.895, P ＜ 0.01) were increased in all 15 patients, and the mean value of S-G0/N-Me (t=5.342, P=0.005) was decreased. The mean values of the distal movement of the first molars on the left and right sides of the mandible were (1.57 ± 0.79) mm and (1.69 ± 1.29) mm, respectively; the mean values of the distal movement of the canines on the left and right sides of the mandible were (1.54 ± 0.50) mm and (1.51 ± 1.08) mm, respectively; and the mean values of the overbite were (1.16 ± 0.60) mm and (1.99 ± 0.85) mm, respectively. @*Conclusion@# After RW-splint treatment, the jaw rotates clockwise, and the relationship between the molars and canines changes obviously in class Ⅱ patients with TMD, which provides a reference for the diagnosis and treatment plan of this kind of patient.

MALAT1 overexpression promotes the proliferation of human periodontal ligament stem cells by upregulating fibroblast growth factor 2.

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) has been revealed to promote human periodontal ligament stem cell (PDLSC) proliferation. The abnormal proliferation of PDLSCs has also been associated with the pathogenesis of periodontitis. The long non-coding RNA, metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), has been demonstrated to regulate FGF2 secretion. Therefore, MALAT1 may also be associated with periodontitis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of MALAT1 overexpression on the proliferation of PDLSCs. In the current study, PDLSCs derived from healthy and periodontitis-affected teeth were collected. MALAT1 and FGF2 mRNA expression in PDLSCs was detected using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. PDLSCs overexpressing MALAT1 were subsequently generated. PDLSC proliferation was analyzed using a Cell Counting kit-8 assay. FGF2 protein expression was detected using western blot analysis. The results revealed that MALAT1 and FGF2 mRNA were significantly upregulated in PDLSCs derived from periodontitis-affected teeth when compared with PDLSCs derived from healthy teeth. PDLSCs derived from periodontitis-affected teeth also demonstrated a significantly higher proliferation rate than PDLSCs derived from healthy teeth. MALAT1 and FGF2 mRNA expression were positively correlated in both PDLSC groups. MALAT1 overexpression promoted the proliferation of healthy and periodontitis-affected PDLSC groups and upregulated FGF2 protein expression. The present study concluded that MALAT1 overexpression promoted the proliferation of human PDLSC potentially via upregulating FGF2.

Cytomegalovirus Viremia in HIV-1 Subtype C Positive Women at Delivery in Botswana and Adverse Birth/Infant Health Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the association between maternal cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia during pregnancy and adverse birth and infant health outcomes in HIV-infected mothers and their HIV-exposed uninfected infants. METHODS: HIV-positive women and their infants were followed prospectively from pregnancy through 2 years postpartum in the "Tshipidi" study in Botswana. We analyzed the association between detectable CMV DNA in maternal blood at delivery and adverse birth outcomes (stillbirth, preterm delivery, small for gestational age, or birth defect), as well as infant hospitalization and mortality through 24 months. RESULTS: We measured CMV DNA in blood samples from 350 (77.1%) of 454 HIV-positive women from the Tshipidi study. The median maternal CD4 count was 422 cells/mL, and median HIV-1 RNA at entry was 3.2 log10 copies/mL. Fifty-one (14.6%) women had detectable CMV DNA. In unadjusted analyses, detectable CMV DNA was associated with higher maternal HIV-1 RNA [odds ratio (OR) 1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1 to 1.9], presence of a birth defect (OR 9.8, 95% CI: 1.6 to 60.3), and occurrence of any adverse birth outcome (OR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.04 to 3.95). In multivariable analysis, we observed a trend toward association between detectable maternal CMV DNA and occurrence of any adverse birth outcome (adjusted OR 1.9, 95% CI: 0.96 to 3.8). Maternal CMV viremia was not associated with infant hospitalization and/or death by 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 1 in 6 HIV-positive women in Botswana had detectable CMV DNA in blood at delivery. The presence of maternal CMV viremia had a borderline association with adverse birth outcomes but not with 24-month morbidity or mortality in HIV-exposed uninfected children.