Epidemiology of human adenovirus infection in children hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections in Hunan,China

To investigate the current genotypes of circulating human adenovirus (HAdV) strains, we molecularly genotyped HAdV in the nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) of patients with acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs) and attempted to determine their associations with clinical symptoms. A total of 4751 NPA samples were collected from 4751 patients admitted to Hunan Provincial People's Hospital from September 2007 to March 2014, of which 447 (9.4%) samples were HAdV positive. Fourteen different HAdV types were identified; HAdV types 1 to 7 (HAdV 1-7) were identified in 95.7% of the 447 NPA samples with HAdV-7 and HAdV-3 being the most prevalent. In addition, 93.3% (417 of 447) of patients were younger than 5 years. The incidence of HAdV infection peaked in summer. Different HAdV types showed a predilection for different age groups and different seasonal distribution patterns. Coinfection of HAdVs and other respiratory viruses was detected in 63.3% (283 of 447) of the HAdV-positive samples. The most common clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and the most common symptoms were fever and cough. In comparison with children infected with HAdV-3 alone, those infected with HAdV-7 alone had an increased frequency of severe pneumonia involvement (11.6% vs 32.4%; P = 0.031), higher intensive care unit admission rates (7.0% vs 26.5%; P = 0.019), and a longer length of hospital stay (P = 0.03). Mixed infections in younger children were associated with a longer hospital stay (P = 0.023). Our results demonstrate the recent changes in the trends of circulating HAdV genotypes associated with ALRTIs in Hunan China.     

The clinical significance of plasma CFHR 1–5 in lupus nephropathy

A deficiency of complement factor H may lead to excessive consumption of C3 and an increase in C3b deposition, which are important pathological characteristics of lupus nephritis. Complement factor H-related proteins (CFHRs), comprising CFHR1 to CFHR5 (CFHR1–5), are members of the wider factor H/CFHR family. Their role in lupus nephritis remains unclear. In this study, we compared circulating levels of CFHR1–5 in 152 patients diagnosed with lupus nephritis and 20 unrelated healthy individuals to explore the relationship between the expression of CFHR1–5 and development of the disease. We found that plasma levels of CFHR3 and CFHR5 were higher in patients with lupus nephritis than in healthy individuals; also, CFHR3 and CFHR5 concentrations increased with increasing systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) values (P < 0.05). Pearson's and Spearman's correlation test results confirmed that plasma CFHR3 and CFHR5 levels in lupus nephritis patients were positively correlated with proteinuria and levels of creatinine (Cr) and anti-dsDNA (correlation coefficients = 0.491–0.717, P < 0.05), while they were negatively correlated with plasma C3 levels and eGFR [correlation coefficients = –(0.706–0.788), P < 0.05]. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis results confirmed that plasma CFHR3 and CFHR5 levels were predictive of SLEDAI values and disease end points (area under the curve = 0.664–0.884, P < 0.05), with patients with both high CFHR3 and high CFHR5 exhibiting the shortest progression-free survival. Thus, both CFHR3 and CFHR5 are of prognostic value in lupus nephritis status.     

Childhood polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) exposure and executive function in children in the HOME Study

Prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been reported to impair executive function in children, but little is known whether childhood PBDE exposures play a role. Using the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study, a prospective birth cohort in the greater Cincinnati area, we investigated the association between repeated measures of PBDEs during childhood and executive function at 8 years in 208 children and whether effect modification by child sex was present. We used child serum collected at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 years to measure PBDEs. The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function was completed by parents to assess executive function at 8 years. We used multiple informant models to examine childhood PBDEs during several exposure windows. Null associations were observed between early childhood PBDEs and executive function. However, we observed significant adverse associations between a 10-fold increase in concurrent concentrations of BDE-28 (β = 4.6, 95% CI 0.5, 8.7) and BDE-153 (β = 4.8, 95% CI 0.8, 8.8) with behavioral regulation. In addition, PBDEs at 8 years were significantly associated with poorer emotional and impulse control. No associations were noted between childhood PBDEs and metacognition or global executive function. However, child sex significantly modified the associations, with significantly poorer executive function among males with higher concurrent BDE-153, and null associations in females. Our study findings suggest that concurrent PBDE exposures during childhood may be associated with poorer executive function, specifically behavior regulation. Males may also be more sensitive to adverse associations of concurrent PBDEs on executive function.     

Microbiome of Deep Dentinal Caries from Reversible Pulpitis to Irreversible Pulpitis

Introduction

This study examined the identity of the microbiome of deep dentinal caries and its correlation with the inflammation status of caries-induced pulpitis.

The coupling of diffusion,migration and chemical equilibrium during the voltammetric reduction of weak polyprotic acids1

A theoretical model is presented for the coupling of diffusion, migration and chemical equilibrium during the voltammetric reduction of weak polyprotic acids. The dissociation reaction of a neutral acid is assumed to influence only the apparent diffusion coefficients of the hydrogen ion and its conjugate base anions. For typical values of equilibrium constants of dissociation reactions and analytical concentration, polyprotic acids behave as either monoprotic acids or diprotic acids, which agrees well with experimental results. A semi-quantitative explanation based on a diffusion layer treatment is proposed for this phenomenon. It is also shown that the ratio of limiting current at low concentration of supporting electrolyte to diffusion-limited current depends on the initial equilibrium concentrations of all species in the solution but not on the kinetics of the dissociation reactions. Furthermore the movement of the uncharged species (the neutral acid) can be influenced by an electric field through the coupling effected by the chemical equilibrium.     

Mechanical properties and microstructures of glass-ionomer cements.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the flexural strength (FS), compressive strength (CS), diametral tensile strength (DTS), Knoop hardness (KHN) and wear resistance of ten commercial glass-ionomer cements (GICs). The fracture surfaces of these cements were examined using scanning electron microscopic (SEM) techniques to ascertain relationships between the mechanical properties and microstructures of these cements. METHODS: Specimens were fabricated according to the instructions from each manufacturer. The FS, CS, DTS, KHN and wear rate were measured after conditioning the specimens for 7 d in distilled water at 37 degrees C. One-way analysis of variance with the post hoc Tukey-Kramer multiple range test was used to determine which specimen groups were significantly different for each test. The fracture surface of one representative specimen of each GIC from the FS tests was examined using a scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: The resin-modified GICs (RM GICs) exhibited much higher FS and DTS, not generally higher CS, often lower Knoop hardness and generally lower wear resistance, compared to the conventional GICs (C GICs). Vitremer (3M) had the highest values of FS and DTS; Fuji II LC (GC International) and Ketac-Molar (ESPE) had the highest CS; Ketac-Fil (ESPE) had the highest KHN. Ketac-Bond (ESPE) had the lowest FS; alpha-Silver (DMG-Hamburg) had the lowest CS. Four GICs (alpha-Fil (DMG-Hamburg), alpha-Silver, Ketac-Bond and Fuji II) had the lowest values of DTS, which were not significantly different from each other; alpha-Silver and Ketac-Silver had the lowest values of KHN. The highest wear resistance was exhibited by alpha-Silver and Ketac-Fil; F2LC had the lowest wear resistance. The C GICs exhibited brittle behavior, whereas the RM GICs underwent substantial plastic deformation in compression. The more integrated the microstructure, the higher were the FS and DTS. Higher CS was correlated with smaller glass particles, and higher KHN was found where there was a combination of smaller glass particles and lower porosity. Larger glass particle sizes and a more integrated microstructure contributed to a higher wear resistance. SIGNIFICANCE: The mechanical properties of GICs were closely related to their microstructures. Factors such as the integrity of the interface between the glass particles and the polymer matrix, the particle size, and the number and size of voids have important roles in determining the mechanical properties.     

口腔内致病菌——嗜CO_2噬纤维菌的超微结构及表面抗原血清型的研究

本文报告对口腔内新分离的嗜CO_2噬纤维菌(C.S)和黄褐CO_2噬纤维菌(C.O)透射电镜观察和表面抗原研究结果。结果提示:C.s和C.o均能在生活状态下以产生囊泡的方式向外界释放其内毒素,但有无囊泡不能作为区分二者的依据。通过交叉凝集试验和免疫荧光法研究证实:C.e和C.o的表面抗原结构不同,但二者存在部分共同表面抗原成部分,用免疫学方法能对二者作出快速鉴定。     

应用牵张成骨技术行牙槽嵴增高术的研究进展

牵张成骨 (distractionosteogenesis,DO)指在骨缝处或在截开的骨段用牵张装置按一定的速度和频率牵开 ,因此产生的骨间隙中形成新骨 ,从而达到使骨延长或增宽的目的。该技术用于四肢长骨已有近百年历史 ,在颅面部治疗颌骨缺损、畸形及阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征等领域也获得了成功。近年来 ,用牵张成骨技术增高牙槽嵴逐渐成为研究热点 ,现综述如下。一、牵张成骨技术与传统牙槽嵴增高术的比较牙槽嵴增高术分相对增高及绝对增高两种 ,前者指唇颊沟加深或牙槽嵴延伸术 ,后者指牙槽嵴增高术。唇颊沟加深术通过改变黏膜及肌附着的位置 ,使牙槽嵴…     

Synthesis and preparation of novel 4-arm star-shape poly(carboxylic acid)s for improved light-cured glass-ionomer cements.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to synthesize and characterize novel 4-arm star-shape poly(acrylic acid)s (poly(AA)s) via atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique, tether in situ light-curable methacrylate functionalities onto the poly(AA) backbone, use these star-shape poly(AA)s to formulate the light-cured glass-ionomer cements (LCGICs), and evaluate the mechanical strengths of the formed cements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 4-arm poly(AA)s were synthesized using ATRP and tethered with either 2-isocyanatoethyl methacrylate (IEM) or glycidyl methacrylate (GM). The polymers were formulated with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylte (HEMA) or methacryloyl beta-alanine (MBA), water, initiators, and Fuji II LC filler. Compressive strength (CS) was used as a tool to evaluate the formed cements. The specimens were conditioned in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24h prior to testing. RESULTS: The 4-arm poly(AA) showed a lower viscosity as compared to its linear counterpart. Both IEM-tethered and GM-tethered 4-arm poly(AA) constructed LCGICs showed significantly high mechanical strengths. Both types of co-monomer and grafting agent dramatically affected the mechanical strengths. The MBA-containing poly(AA) cements exhibited much higher CS than the HEMA-containing cements. The IEM-tethered poly(AA) cements showed much higher CS and DTS than the GM-tethered cements. CONCLUSIONS: This study developed a novel light-curable 4-arm star-shape poly(AA) system. The system was 13% in CS, 178% in DTS and 123% in FS, compared to Fuji II LC.