CD14−/CD34+ is the founding population of umbilical cord blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells and angiogenin1 is an important factor promoting the colony formation

The origin of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in umbilical cord blood (UCB) is unknown. In this study, we explored the origin of UCB-derived EPCs by culturing CD14+ or CD14− subpopulation separately and co-culturing these two subpopulations either with or without transwells. We found no colony formation with CD14+ or CD14− subpopulation alone, but there were EPC colonies observed in direct co-cultures of both subpopulations. Transwell culture system was used to further study the effect of cytokines on EPC colony formation. We observed the presence of EPC colonies derived from CD14− subpopulation in the presence of CD14+ subpopulation in the upper compartment whereas there was no colony generated from CD14+ subpopulation with CD14− subpopulation in the upper compartment. Therefore, CD14− subpopulation is likely to be the origin of EPCs and EPC colony derivation requires cytokines released from CD14+ subpopulation. We further characterized the founding population of UCB-derived EPCs by separating CD14− subpopulation into CD14−/CD34+ and CD14−/CD34− subpopulations. There were colonies observed only in co-cultures of CD14+ with CD14−/CD34+ subpopulation but not with CD14−/CD34− subpopulation either with or without transwells. We screened 42 cytokines involving in angiogenesis using an ELISA array in the supernatant collected from CD14+ compared to CD14− subpopulations. We found consistently the presence of angiogenin1 in the supernatant of CD14+ subpopulation but not in that of CD14− subpopulation. The addition of angiogenin1 in culture of CD14− subpopulation yielded EPC colonies. We conclude that UCB-derived EPCs are confined to CD14−/CD34+ subpopulation and angiogenin1 released from CD14+ subpopulation may be an important factor promoting the EPC colony formation.     

Interseptal bone reduction on the rate of maxillary canine retraction

Objective:To propose and evaluate a novel surgical approach with minimal trauma, termed interseptal bone reduction, combined with the use of a conventional orthodontic fixed appliance to accelerate canine retraction.Materials and Methods:A split-mouth design study was conducted in 18 female subjects (mean age, 21.9 years) whose bilateral upper first premolars were extracted and who subsequently received canine distalization. The extraction socket on the experimental side was deepened, and interseptal bone distal to the maxillary canine was reduced in thickness using a surgical bur; conventional extraction was performed on the control side. The canines were then distalized using elastomeric chains on both the labial and palatal sides, with a net force of 150 g. The extent of canine movement and rotation was determined from study models, and the angulation was analyzed based on lateral cephalograms.Results:A Wilcoxon signed rank test demonstrated that the extent of canine movement in the mesio-distal direction after 3 months was significantly greater on the experimental side than on the control side (5.4 and 3.4 mm, respectively, P  =  .002). However, there was no statistically significant difference in canine angulation or rotation after 3 months between the experimental and control sides.Conclusions:In combination with the use of conventional orthodontic appliances, interseptal bone reduction can enhance the rate of canine movement when interseptal bone is sufficiently reduced in both thickness and depth following surgical criteria.     

The Effect of Chemical Surface Treatments on the Flexural Strength of Repaired Acrylic Denture Base Resin

Purpose: To investigate the effect of the selected chemical surface treatment agents on the flexural strength of heat‐polymerized acrylic resin repaired with autopolymerized acrylic resin. Materials and Methods: Ninety heat‐polymerized acrylic resin specimens (Meliodent) were prepared according to ISO1567 and randomly divided into nine groups: positive and negative control groups (groups I and II), and seven experimental groups (groups III to IX). Specimens in groups II to IX were cut in the middle and beveled 45°. Group III was then treated with methyl methacrylate (the liquid part of Unifast TRAD) for 180 seconds. Group IV was treated with Rebase II adhesive according to the manufacturer's instructions. Groups V to IX were treated with methyl formate, methyl acetate, and a mixture of methyl formate–methyl acetate at various concentrations (75:25, 50:50, 25:75% v/v, respectively) for 15 seconds. They were then repaired with autopolymerized acrylic resin (Unifast TRAD). A three‐point loading test was performed using a universal testing machine. One‐way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey's analysis at p < 0.05 were used for statistical comparison. Failure analysis was then recorded for each specimen. The morphological changes in untreated and treated specimens were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Results: The flexural strengths of groups III to IX were significantly higher than that of group II (p < 0.05). The flexural strengths of groups IV to IX showed no significant difference among them (p > 0.05). All specimens in groups V to IX showed 100% cohesive failure, while groups II, III, and IV showed cohesive failure of 10%, 60%, and 60%, respectively. From scanning electron micrographs, the application of methyl formate, methyl acetate, and a mixture of methyl formate–methyl acetate solutions on heat‐polymerized acrylic resin resulted in a 3D honeycomb appearance, while specimens treated with methyl methacrylate and Rebase II adhesive developed shallow pits and small crest patterns, respectively. Conclusion: Treating surfaces with methyl formate, methyl acetate, and a mixture of methyl formate–methyl acetate solutions significantly enhanced the flexural strength of heat‐polymerized acrylic denture base resin that had been repaired with autopolymerized acrylic resin.     

Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis analysis of Echinostoma revolutum and Echinostoma malayanum (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) isolated from Khon Kaen Province,Thailand

ObjectiveTo explore the genetic variation and differentiation of 2 echinostomes from genus Echinostoma, i.e. Echinostoma revolutum (E. revolutum) and Echinostoma malayanum (E. malayanum) from Khon Kaen Province, Thailand.MethodsThese parasites were compared at 22 enzymes encoding a presumptive 30 loci by using multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (MEE) technique.ResultsTwenty-two loci can be used as diagnostic markers to differentiate these 2 species. E. revolutum and E. malayanum had fixed genetic differences at 70% of loci, whereas both species had fixed genetic differences from the liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini at 91% of loci. Intraspecific variation within a population of E. revolutum was observed at 5 polymorphic loci.ConclusionsMEE is a powerful technique to investigate genetic variation and differentiation of E. revolutum and E. malayanum.     

Spatial and temporal genetic variation of Echinostoma revolutum (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) from Thailand and the Lao PDR

A total of 314 individual Echinostoma revolutum were collected at different locations and times from domestic ducks from Khon Kaen Province, Thailand and Vientiane Province, the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). Genetic variation of these parasites was analyzed using multilocus enzyme electrophoresis at three polymorphic loci namely, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6pd), malic enzyme (Me) and peptidase valine-leucine (PepA). High levels of genetic variability were found within and between populations. Significant heterozygote deficiencies compared with the predictions under Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium were detected in populations from Thailand and the Lao PDR for all loci except G6pd-1. Significant genetic differentiation was observed between spatially separated populations from Thailand and the Lao PDR. This as also true for some samples collected at different times in Thailand. The variability found may be consistent with a Wahlund effect, genetic drift and/or other factors such as the population structure of snail hosts. Our data provide further insight into the process of genetic divergence within and among geographically and temporally isolated populations of E. revolutum, and potentially other medically important echinostomes in Southeast Asia.     

Hemoglobin Pakse: Presence on Red Blood Cell Membrane and Detection by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Single-Strand Conformational Polymorphism

Nondeletional gene mutations giving rise to alpha-thalassemia can be found at polymorphic frequency in Southeast Asia. Although the most common is hemoglobin Constant Spring (Hb CS), caused by a termination codon mutation (UAA --> CAA, Gln) in the alpha2-globin gene and resulting in reduced synthesis of the elongated alpha-globin variant, Hb Pakse (UAA --> UAU, Tyr) also has been observed at a significant prevalence. Western blot analysis of ghost membrane proteins separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis from an individual with alpha-thal 1/Hb Pakse revealed the existence of a higher molecular weight globin of 18 kd consistent with an alpha(Pakse)-globin chain. The presence of alpha(Pakse)-globin on membranes of Hb Pakse-containing red blood cells affords an explanation for the severity of anemia observed in such patients. However, because the 2 Hb variants cannot be distinguished by current biochemical techniques, we developed a convenient single-tube polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) protocol for the simultaneous diagnosis of Hb CS and Hb Pakse by amplifying a short fragment covering the termination codon of the alpha2-globin gene. This PCR-SSCP method required no internal control coamplification or use of restriction enzymes and has the potential of identifying all the other possible termination codon mutations in a single reaction with only 1 pair of primers.     

The fine specificity, but not the invasion inhibitory activity, of 19-kilodalton merozoite surface protein 1-specific antibodies is associated with resistance to malarial parasitemia in a cross-sectional survey in The Gambia

In a cross-sectional survey of 187 Gambian children and adults, we have analyzed prevalence, fine specificity, and 19-kilodalton merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP-1(19))-specific erythrocyte invasion inhibitory activity of antibodies to MSP-1(19) but find no significant association between any of these parameters and prevalence or density of malarial parasitemia, except that, after correcting for total anti-MSP-1(19) antibody levels, individuals with anti-MSP-1(19) antibodies that compete with an invasion inhibitory monoclonal antibody (12.10) were significantly less likely to have malaria infections with densities of > or =1,000 parasites/microl than were individuals without such antibodies. This association persisted after correction for age and ethnic origin.     

Fine specificity of serum antibodies to Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein, PfMSP-1(19), predicts protection from malaria infection and high-density parasitemia

Antibodies to the C terminus of the Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein, PfMSP-1(19), may inhibit merozoite invasion or block the effects of inhibitory antibodies. Here, using a competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and antibody binding to wild-type and mutated recombinant proteins, we show that there are marked variations between individuals in the fine specificity of naturally acquired anti-MSP-1(19) antibodies. Furthermore, although neither the prevalence nor the concentration of total anti-MSP-1(19) antibodies was associated with resistance to malaria in African children, significant associations were observed between antibody fine specificity and subsequent risk of infection and high-density parasitemia during a follow-up period. Thus, the fine specificity of naturally acquired human anti-MSP-1(19) antibodies is crucial in determining their function. Future field studies, including the evaluation of PfMSP-1 vaccine trials, should include assays that explore antibody fine specificity as well as titer.     

Risk Factors for Lung Cancer among Northern Thai Women: Epidemiological, Nutritional, Serological, and Bacteriological Surveys of Residents in High- and Low-incidence Areas

Lung cancer incidence among Northern Thai women is one of the highest in Asia (an annual age-adjusted incidence rate of 37.4 per 100,000), and the incidence rate significantly differs by geographical districts. Therefore, we conducted a comparative study of women living in the Sarapee area, which showed the highest (crude incidence rate, 40.9), and the Chom Tong area, which had one of the lowest incidence rates (8.5) in Chiang Mai Province, despite the two areas' geographical and cultural closeness. The women in this study were either family members of lung cancer patients or their neighbors. To find clues to the etiology of lung cancer, this study used various epidemiological and biochemical approaches: interviewing on lifestyle factors, duplicate meals, chemical examination of drinking water, biochemical analysis of sera, mutagenicity test of urine, and monitoring of fungi and bacteria in the living environment. We found that tobacco smoking (Khiyo, local cigars) was less frequently observed in Sarapee (high incidence), compared with Chom Tong (low incidence), and that the history of chronic benign respiratory diseases was the most distinct event among women in Sarapee, resulting in a significantly increased percentage of those with a history of both benign respiratory diseases and tobacco smoking. This population revealed increased levels of serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, an endogenous tumor promoter. Furthermore, significantly increased urine mutagenicity was found to be closely associated with history of benign respiratory disease in Sarapee. The fungus which was most commonly found in the air inside houses in Sarapee was identified as Microsporum canis. Additionally, significantly increased serum concentrations of a constituent of the fungus were found in Sarapee women, compared with those in Chom Tong. Our results suggest that tobacco (Khiyo) smoking alone may not be able to explain the very high incidence of female lung cancer in Northern Thailand, and that chronic benign respiratory disease, possibly caused by the infection of fungi such as M. canis, is likely to be involved in the etiology of female lung cancer in North Thailand.     

Effect of incisal loading during orthodontic treatment in adults: A randomized control trial

Objective:To measure the changes in tooth mobility, alveolar bone, and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) during orthodontic treatment to regain incisal function in the presence and absence of biting exercises.Materials and Methods:Thirty-six females (42.3 ± 6.5 years old) with periodontally compromised upper incisors received orthodontic treatment to obtain ideal incisor relationships. Eighteen subjects in the experimental biting exercise group were instructed to bite a soft plastic roll for 5 min/d; the 18 control subjects were not given plastic rolls. Alveolar bone thickness, height, and density around the upper incisors were assessed at three root levels using cone-beam computed tomography. GCF was collected at the labial and palatal sites of the upper incisors at pretreatment (T0), end of treatment (T1), 1 month after T1 (T2), and 7 months after T1 (T3). RANKL/OPG was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Results:Labial and palatal bone thickness significantly increased (>twofold) from T1 to T3 in the experimental group at all three root levels (all P < .05). Bone thickness correlated negatively with RANKL/OPG ratio between T1 and T2 (P < .05). Tooth mobility, bone height, and density were not significantly different between T1 and T3.Conclusions:Biting exercises significantly increased bone thickness but did not affect tooth mobility, bone height, or density. The RANKL/OPG ratio decreased 1 month after treatment (T2) and correlated with increased bone thickness. (ClinicalTrials.in.th TCTR20170625001).