Serum proteins TGFBI,PCSK9, and CCL14 are potential biomarkers for different traditional Chinese medicine syndromes of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

Patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) tend to have a long course of anti-TB treatment and severe side effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a synergistic effect in attenuation of MDR-TB. However, the lack of objective biological standards to classify and diagnose MDR-TB TCM syndromes could result in less effective TCM treatment. Therefore, in this study, we identified differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in serum of individuals with MDR-TB TCM syndromes by applying isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification coupled with two-dimensional liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (iTRAQ-2DLC–MS/MS) method and bioinformatics analysis. The functional analysis of DEPs was also performed. Additionally, DEPs among three different TCM syndromes of MDR-TB were validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Finally, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to estimate the diagnostic ability of DEPs. A total of 71 DEPs were identified in the three different MDR-TB TCM syndrome groups such as the pulmonary Yin deficiency (PYD) syndrome group, the Hyperactivity of Fire due to Yin deficiency (HFYD) syndrome group, and the deficiency of Qi and Yin (DQY) syndrome group. The results showed that the expression level of transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein ig-h3 (TGFBI) was lower in the PYD syndrome group (p = .002), the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) was overexpressed in the HFYD syndrome group (p < .0001), and the C–C motif chemokine ligand 14 (CCL14) expression level was reduced in the DQY syndrome group (p = .004). Our study demonstrated that serum TGFBI, PCSK9, and CCL14 may serve as potential novel biomarkers for PYD syndrome, HFYD syndrome and DQY syndrome of MDR-TB, respectively. The study provides a biological basis for MDR-TB TCM syndromes classification and can be of great significance for the treatment of different TCM syndromes.     

炎症反应在细胞焦亡和动脉粥样硬化之间的作用

心血管疾病是全球慢性非传染性疾病中死亡率最高的一类疾病，而动脉粥样硬化（AS）在心血管疾病的发生发展中扮演了重要的角色。炎症反应与动脉粥样硬化形成密切相关，而其又广泛参与细胞焦亡过程。核苷酸结合寡聚化结构域样受体蛋白3（NLRP3）、适配器凋亡相关微粒蛋白（apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD，ASC）以及Caspase-1等细胞焦亡的重要功能分子均参与AS形成，细胞焦亡的过程中伴随白细胞介素等炎症介质的产生及释放，而炎症反应又可反过来促进细胞焦亡的发生发展。我们分别从炎症反应在动脉粥样硬化、细胞焦亡形成中的作用，炎症反应在这两者之间的桥梁作用等3个方面进行综述。     

Ribosome display and selection of single‐chain variable fragments effectively inhibit growth and progression of microspheres in vitro and in vivo

Distinguishing the surface markers of cancer stem cells (CSCs) is a useful method for early diagnosis and treatment of tumors, as CSCs may participate in tumorigenesis and metastasis by migrating into the circulatory system. However, the potential targets of CSCs are expressed at low levels in the natural state and are always changing. Thus, dynamic screening has been reported to be an effective measure for exploring CSC markers. In recent years, diverse single‐chain variable fragments (scFvs) have been widely used in immunotherapy. In this study, we determined that the scFvs, screened using RD, had a high affinity to microspheres and could inhibit their progression. We also observed that the selected scFvs underwent evolution in vitro, and antitumor‐associated proteins were successfully expressed. Combined with chemotherapy, the scFvs had a synergistic effect on the inhibition of the microspheres’ progression in vitro and in vivo, which could be ascribed to their high affinity for stem‐like cells and the inhibition of the microspheres’ collective behaviors. In addition, proteins inhibiting CD44⁺/CD24⁺ and MAPK were involved. Our data indicated that dynamic screening of the scFvs in a natural state was of great significance in the inhibition of the microspheres in vitro and in vivo.     

Analysis of fractured dental implant body from five different implant systems: a long-term retrospective study

The aim of this study was to perform an analysis of the incidence of implant body fracture and to identify possible risk factors. A long-term follow-up retrospective evaluation of 3477 patients who received 8588 implants from five implant systems was performed. Overall, 2810 patients who received 7502 implants, with an average follow-up of 6.9 years, were included in the analysis. The overall body fracture rate was 0.49% (37/7502), among which 32.4% (12/37) were implants with a reduced diameter. The estimated cumulative fracture rate was 1.24%. Fractures were observed in two patients with three Brånemark implants, 13 patients with 15 Nobel Replace implants, eight patients with eight Camlog implants, eight patients with 11 Ankylos implants, and none of the patients with Thommen implants. Most fractures occurred in the molar region (29/37) and in single implant-supported restorations (30/37). The results showed significant differences between splinted and unsplinted restorations (P = 0.005) and between regular and narrow diameter implants (P = 0.009). Within the limitations of this retrospective analysis, a narrow implant diameter is a potential risk factor for implant body fracture in the posterior region. Furthermore, unsplinted restorations appear to be associated with a higher rate of implant fracture.     

Detection and analysis of null alleles of amelogenin in gender identification

In this study, we located eight samples with null alleles of amelogenin out of 10,750 cases, and discussed the influence in gender identification and forensic personal identification. Amelogenin was detected and retested by several autosomal STR kits and sex chromosomal STR kits, and the causes were analyzed by chromosome karyotype analysis and Y chromosome microdeletion detection if necessary. Suspected AMEL-X loss was observed in five samples, but no abnormality was detected in the X-STR loci. AMEL-X was recovered when samples were retested by other detection systems designed with different primers. One sample had AMEL-X and X-STR loci loss, and the karyotype was chimeric 45,X0[70]/46,X,+mar[13].Two male samples lost AMEL-Y fragment, and both of them lost DYS522-DYS570-DYS576 loci, but no abnormalities were found in the STS loci of SRY and AZF regions. Therefore, when carrying out gender identification by using amelogenin, it is essential to focus on null alleles of amelogenin. In especially, deal with the samples collected from the individuals who had chromosomal hereditary disorders(e.g. Turner Syndrome and Oligospermia / Azoospermia). In order to achieve this, laboratories should have various techniques to verify the null alleles of amelogenin and ensure accurate genotyping. Accurate genotyping of amelogenin and DNA database establishment are vital for personal identification.     

Osteogenic distraction to treat solitary median maxillary central incisor (SMMCI) syndrome: a case report

Solitary median maxillary central incisor (SMMCI) syndrome is a rare developmental disorder characterized by a single symmetrical maxillary central incisor. Only a small number of cases with comprehensive dental treatment have been reported in the literature. No surgical treatment has been proposed before. We report the case of an 8-year-old girl who presented SMMCI syndrome associated with an Angle class II occlusion and a maxillary transverse deficiency. After the failure of two rapid maxillary expansions, a surgical option was proposed: osteogenic maxillary distraction. The distraction, associated with multi-bracketed fixed orthodontic treatment, created enough space to place a prosthetic central incisor without dental extractions. Osteogenic distraction is an interesting option to treat patients with SMMCI.