Objective To observe ultrastructural changes in a clinical isolate of Penicillium marneffei(PM) before and after treatment with amphotericin B or voriconazole by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Methods A microdilution method was performed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)of amphotericin B and voriconazole against a clinical isolate of PM. Then, the PM isolate was treated with amphotericin B or voriconazole at their MICs and 10-fold MICs for 24, 48 and 72 hours. The ultrastructural changes in this isolate before and after the treatment were observed by using SEM and TEM. Results After the treatment with amphotericin B, SEM showed that the conidia or yeast cells of the PM isolate were gradually damaged, and their outer layers experienced detachment, shrinkage, breakage and adhesion with the increase in treatment duration and concentrations of amphotericin B; TEM also showed degenerated mitochondria, broken nuclei and cell walls, and shrunken cytoplasmic membrane with disappearance of cytoplasmic organelles. Similarly, the damage, shrinkage, shriveling and collapse of PM cells were seen by using SEM, and TEM showed many high-density electron-dense granules in cytoplasm, degeneration of mitochondria, roughening of cell wall surface, damage and shrinkage of cytoplasmic membrane, and disappearance of cytoplasmic organelles after voriconazole treatment. Conclusions Amphotericin B and voriconazole both had a strong antifungal effect on PM, and could induce evident ultrastructural changes, which were positively associated with treatment duration and concentrations. Moreover, amphotericin B caused more severe damage to PM compared with voriconazole.

Objective To investigate the effect of expression of microRNA-27a(miR-27a) and microRNA-451(miR-451) in A2780/T cells and its relativity to multidrug resistance (MDR)1 mRNA inhibition by procyanidin. Methods Stem-loop PCR method was performed to evaluate the expression of miR-27a and miR-451 in use of procyanidin (0-40μmol/L) in 0-48 h in A2780/T cells. Additionally, over-expressing or interfecting microRNAs by using mimics or inhibitor of miR-27a and miR-451, the expression of MDR1 mRNA was assessed by RT-PCR in cells exposing to procyanidin. Results The expression of miR-27a and miR-451 was significant inhibited by procyanidin in both time- and concentration-dependency. Over-expressed MDR1 mRNA associated with miR-27a or miR-451 mimics was blocked by procyanidin, whereas there was no effect on down-expressed MDR1 mRNA associated with miR-27a or miR-451 inhibitor by procyanidin. Conclusion Procyanidin inhibits MDR1 mRNA expression by inhibiting miR-27a and miR-451 expression in A2780/T cells.

Objective: To investigate the incidence and morphology of C-shaped root canals in mandibular premolars by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging, which provides a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods : The CBCT scanning data of 964 mandibular first premolars and 907 mandibular second premolars in 508 cases were collected, and the root canal morphology, incidence of C-shaped root canals, bilateral symmetry and location of radicular grooves were analyzed. Results: The incidence of C-shaped root canals in mandibular first premolars was 4.1% and that in mandibular second premolars was 0.6%. The incidence of C-shaped root canals of mandibular first premolars was significantly higher than that of mandibular second premolars (χ2=25.775, P < 0.001). The symmetrical ratio of C-shaped root canals in the mandibular first premolars was 29%. There were no symmetrical C-shaped root canals in the mandibular second premolars. There were significant differences in the distribution of the C-shaped root canal configuration in the root canal (P < 0.001). The C-shaped configuration mainly existed in the middle axial and apical level of the mandibular premolars. The C2 type was more common. No C-shape was found in the coronal level of the mandibular premolars. Vertucci I single tube type was the most common type of root canal for the mandibular premolars included in this study; the incidences were 81.7% and 98.3% for the mandibular first and second premolars, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=140.544, P < 0.001). The other root canal types of mandibular first premolars were more than those of mandibular second premolars. The incidences of Vertucci Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, and Ⅴ and C-shaped root canals in mandibular first premolars were significantly higher than those in mandibular second premolars. C-shaped root canal mandibular premolars had radicular grooves, and most of them were located at the mesiolingual side. Conclusion The morphology of the C-shaped root canal in mandibular premolars was complicated. CBCT can provide direct and accurate imaging evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of capsaicin in regulating permeation of P-gp substrate rhodamine 123 (R123) across the jejunum, ileum and colon membranes of rats.

METHODSThe permeability of R123 or fluorescein sodium (CF) across the jejunum, ileum and colon membranes of male SD rats was evaluated using a Ussing chamber. The concentration of R123 or CF in the receptor was determined using fluorospectrophotometry to calculate the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp).

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, capsaicin increased the permeability of R123 across jejunal membranes in the mucosal-to-serosal (M-S) direction and decreased its permeability in the serosal-to-mucosal (S-M) direction, but produced no obvious effect on R123 transport across the ileum or colon membranes. Capsaicin caused a regional increase in the permeability of CF across the jejunal membranes compared with the control group, but CF transport across the ileum and colon membranes was not affected.

CONCLUSIONCapsaicin can affect the transport of R123 and CF across rat jejunal membranes, and this effect is shows an obvious intestine segment-related difference probably because of the different distribution of P-gp or tight junction in the intestines. This finding suggests that capsaicin is a weak P-gp inhibitor and an improver of mucous membrane channels.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Animals ; Capsaicin ; pharmacology ; Colon ; metabolism ; Fluorescein ; pharmacokinetics ; Ileum ; metabolism ; Intestinal Absorption ; Jejunum ; metabolism ; Male ; Permeability ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhodamine 123 ; pharmacokinetics

Objective : To study root morphology, the incidence of three root canals and the root canal anatomy of maxillary premolars. Methods: The cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data of 779 maxillary first premolars and 728 maxillary second premolars were collected from 412 patients in Zhuhai Stomatological Hospital. The root and canal morphology, incidence of three canals, bilateral symmetry and location of root canal bifurcation were analyzed. Results : The incidence of three canals in the maxillary first premolars was 1.8% and that in the maxillary second premolars was 0.3%. The incidence of three canals in the maxillary first premolars was significantly higher than that in the maxillary second premolars (c2=8.304, P=0.004). The symmetrical ratio of the three-canal maxillary first premolar was 27.3%. There was no symmetrical three-canal maxillary second premolar. The anatomical morphology of the maxillary premolar can be single root, double root or trident root. Its internal root canal system is complex and diverse. There are seven kinds of Vertucci morphology: the first maxillary premolar is mainly Vertucci IV type, and the second maxillary premolar is mainly Vertucci I type. Most of the root canal bifurcations of the three-canal maxillary premolars were observed in the midthird or the cervical third of the root. All three-canal maxillary premolars had three independent apical foramens. Conclusion The root canal morphology of maxillary premolars is complex and changeable. CBCT plays an important role in the discovery of variation and extra root canals.

Objective:To determine the influences of structural changes after valgus impacted femoral neck fracture on hip range of motion (ROM) so as to provide evidence for clinical judgment of whether reduction is necessary or not in the internal fixation of such fractures.Methods:1. 3D reconstructions of the CT hip scans were performed for the 73 patients who had been treated at Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University for valgus impacted femoral neck fractures from January 2019 to April 2019.The femoral neck-shaft angle, anteversion angle, femoral offset, axial alpha angle, lateral center edge angle (LCEA), anterior center edge angle (ACEA) and center displacement were measured and compared between the affected and healthy sides to determine the influences of the fracture on the above indexes. 2. Hip motions (flexion and MIR-90°) were simulated on bilateral sides to determine the influences of structural changes after fracture on hip ROM using stepwise regression and Logistic regression. 3. The distribution of femoral-acetabular contact points on the femoral side was observed in simulation of hip flexion to detect the potential area for femoracetabular impingement (FAI) induced by the fracture displacement.Results:1. The valgus impacted femoral neck fractures had significant influences on femoral neck-shaft angle, anteversion angle, femoral offset and axial alpha angle. Compared with the healthy side, on average, the femoral neck-shaft angle increased by 5.1°, anteversion angle decreased by 6.5°, femoral offset decreased by 8.2 mm and axial alpha angle increased by 9.7° on the affected side, showing significant differences ( P<0.05).The displacements of the femoral head center averaged 9.2 mm. There was no significant difference in LCEA or ACEA between the affected and healthy sides ( P>0.05). 2. Compared with the healthy side, on average, the simulated hip flexion decreased significantly by 27.0° and the hip MIR-90° decreased significantly by 20.3° on the affected side after fracture ( P<0.05). Regression analysis showed that femoral anteversion angle, ACEA and displacement of the femoral head center had a significant influence on hip ROM, especially the anteversion angle. When the anteversion angle decreased by more than 7.1°, the hip flexion would decrease by at least 20%. 3. The points of FAI distributed more widely on the fracture side. Compared with the healthy side, the impact points extended outward and upward in hip flexion and extended inwardly in hip MIR-90° on the affected side. Conclusions:After a valgus impacted femoral neck fracture, if the femoral anteversion angle has been decreased by more than 7.1°, the hip ROM can be greatly influenced and the points of FAI can be distributed more widely. Therefore, reduction should be recommended before internal fixation of the fracture.

Objective: To understand the situation of ticks carrying pathogens in border areas of Heilongjiang province. Methods: From 2009 to 2018, tick specimens were collected in Yichun, Daxing′anling area and Jiamusi in Heilongjiang province. A total of 2 530 ticks were studied, including 800 Ixodes persulcatus and 1 730 Dermacentor silvarum. Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), omsk hemorrhagic fever virus (OHFV), langat virus (LGTV), powassan virus (POWV) were detected by real-time RT-PCR. Spotted fever group rickettsia (SFGR) and Borrelia burgdorferi sensulato (B.b.s.l) were detected by PCR in ticks collected from Jiamusi area. Results: All tick speciments collected were negative for TBEV, SFTSV, OHFV, LGTV and POWV. Tick specimens from Jiamusi carried SFGR and B. b.s.l.with positive rates of 59.5% and 8.9%. Conclusions The ticks in border areas of Heilongjiang province carry spotted fever group rickettsia and Borrelia burgdorferi, and the carrying rate of spotted fever group rickettsia is high. The monitoring and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases should be strengthened.

Objective: To analysis the genotype of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in mosquitoes from Shandong province. Methods: Mosquitoes were collected between August and September in Weishan county, Junan county, and Kenli county of Shandong province in 2016. Viruses were isolated by BHK-21 cell and identified by molecular method . Real-Time RT-PCR was conducted to detect the Japanese encephalitis virus carried by the mosquitoes. Results: A total of 8418 mosquitoes divided into 81 pools including 3 species, Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Anopheles sinensis and Armigeres obturbans. Eight Japanese encephalitis viruses were isolated; 23 pools were positive by JEV specific real-time RT-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis on E sequence of JEV showed all JEV strains belonged to genotype Ⅰ JEV, and new strains that were homogenous with previous JEV strains isolated from Shandong. Conclusions Genotype Ⅰ JEV was the dominant genotype in Shandong province.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and distribution characteristics of tick-borne encephalitis in China in 2014, and to provide scientific basis for formulating specific prevention and control measures. Methods: The epidemic data were obtained from the "infectious disease report information management system" , using Excel 2016, GIS and other software to summarize and analyze the cases of tick borne encephalitis (TBE) reported, using the number of cases, incidence, composition ratio and other indicators to analyze and describe the TBE epidemiological characteristics in China in 2014. Results: In 2014, a total of 322 cases of TBE were reported in 9 provinces in China, with an annual incidence of 0.024/100, 000 and 1 death of patient. The provinces with high number of cases were Jilin province, Inner mongolia autonomous region and Heilongjiang province, and the number of cases in the other six provinces is no more than two. TBE was distributed in spring and summer, and it is concentrated in May to July. The age of the affected population was mostly concentrated in 40-49 years old, the male-female ratio was 1.6∶1 (198/124), and the patients were dominantly farmers, household and unemployed workers, and forestry workers, they accounted for 49.40% (159/322), 26.40% (85/322) and 18.60% (60/322) of the national TBE cases respectively. The three hospitals that reported the most TBE cases in 2014 were Inner mongolia forestry general hospital, Jiangyuan People′s hospital of Baishan city, Jilin province and Mudanjiang forestry central hospital of Heilongjiang province. The number of reported cases in these three hospitals accounted for 68.6% of the whole country. The laboratory diagnosis rate of Inner mongolia forestry general hospital was the highest (91.9%). Conclusions In 2014, the incidence of TBE in China has continued to rise compared with the previous two years. The geographical focus is mainly on the forest areas of Daxing′anling, Xiaoxing′anling and Changbai Mountain.