OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this research was to study the genetic diversity of F-ATPase subunit gene uncEBF derived from Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) clinical isolates, furthermore to investigate the relationship between the genetic diversity of F-ATPase and S. mutans aciduric ability.

METHODS38 S. mutans strains included 18 high acid tolerance strains and 20 low acid tolerance strains. Gene uncEBF of these isolates were amplified with specific primers from S. mutans genomic DNA, and the PCR products were analyzed by RFLP and sequenced. SPSS 11.0 statistic software assayed the results.

RESULTSIt was testified that two genotypes A and B of PCR-RFLP were revealed when digested with Alu I and Dde I digested fragments of uncEBF displayed two different patterns C and D. Fisher exact two-tail test showed that the distributions of A and B genotype strains with different acidurance were different (P < 0.05), and the proportion of A genotype strains from high acidurance group was higher than that from low acidurance one. Some of these amplified uncEBF genes from different genotype were sequenced and testified that there existed variation of Alu I and Dde I recognized sites.

CONCLUSIONThis study indicated that uncEBF gene of S. mutans F-ATPase obviously exhibited genetic diversity.

Adenosine Triphosphatases ; Dental Caries ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Streptococcus mutans

OBJECTIVETo study the genetic diversity and the gene expression of membrane-bound proton-translocating ATPase (F-ATPase) subunit gene uncG derived from Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) clinical isolates.

METHODS38 S. mutans strains derived from caries-active and caries-free individuals including 18 strains displaying high acid tolerance and 20 strains displaying low acid tolerance. Gene uncG was amplified with specific primers from S. mutans genomic DNA, then the PCR product was analyzed by RFLP and sequenced. The relative expression quantity of uncG gene against the housekeeping gene recA was determined by using RT-PCR method. A gel documentation system and QUANTITY ONES software were used to analyze the data results.

RESULTSIt was testified that four genotypes A, B, C and D of PCR-RFLP were revealed when respectively digested with Alu I and Bsr I, but the distributions of the four genotype strains showed no difference (P > 0.05). The differences of uncG gene transcript quantities derived from different genotype or different aciduranc strains had no significance (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThis study indicated that uncG gene of F-ATPase obviously displayed genetic diversity and existed polymorphism at mRNA expression level, while the Alu I-RFLP genotypes and the expression levels would not be responsive to different acid tolerance of S. mutans strains.

Adenosine Triphosphatases ; Dental Caries ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; RNA, Messenger ; Streptococcus mutans

OBJECTIVETo analysis the homology among the extended-V region of the surface proteins in different serotype Streptococcus mutans (c, f, d, g) and to find out it's significance in anti-caries vaccine.

METHODSThe DNA of the bacteria (standarded serotype c, d, f, g and partial serotype c clinicals) was extracted and the extended-V region (SrV+, 1 384-2 514 bp) was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Then the products were assessed using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) by endonuclease Dde I. The genotypings were sequenced and analysised using the program of BLAST on NCBI Gene Bank database.

RESULTSAbout 1.13 kb fragments were produced both in serotype c and f, the serotype d and g were failed. The RFLP results showed that five different patterns(A, B, C, D, E) among the 117 PCR products were reveled by Dde I. The ration of the genotypings A and B were the most among the strains, the C was lower, the D and E respectively was 1 and 3 strains per genotype. OMZ175 (serotype f) was belong to B genotype. Selected one of the A, B, C genotypings to sequenced and blasted. Then the results of the blastn showed that the identities of the gene sequence were 92%-98% between the serotype c and serotype f, part sequence of the serotype g was homology with the SrV+ of the serotype c, the protein sequence among serotype c, d, f, g were 77%-82%.

CONCLUSIONIt is reasonable to use some putative pipetides to study the anti-caries vaccine among the extended-V regions of the surface proteins in different serotype (c, d, f, g) in S. mutans.

DNA, Bacterial ; Genotype ; Membrane Proteins ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Serogroup ; Streptococcus mutans

Objective To investigate the factors associated with preoperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in female patients with lower extremity fracture in menstrual phase.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted of the 119 women with lower extremity fracture in childbearing age who had been treated at Traumatic Orthopaedics Center,Red Cross Hospital,Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science College from October 2016 to October 2017.Of them,41 were in menstral phase,aged from 20 to 50 years (average,37.1 ± 8.9 years),and 78 were not,aged from 19 to 50 years (average,36.9 ± 8.0 years).The 2 groups were compared in terms of DVT incidence,D-dimer level,prothrombin time,partial prothrombin time,thrombin time,fibrinogen level,and preoperative bed time.Results The patients with menstruation had significantly higher incidence of lower extremity DVT (82.9％) and significantly longer preoperative bed time (9.1 ± 3.4 d) than those without menstruation did (14.1％ and 3.8 ± 2.2 d,respectively) (P ＜0.05).There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in the preoperative coagulation indexes:D-dimer,prothrombin time,partial prothrombin time,thrombin time or fibrinogen (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The incidence of preoperative DVT may be high the female patients with lower extremity fracture in menstrual phase,chiefly because of long preoperative bed time.Detection of D-dimer level is of limited significance in the screening for thrombosis in menstrual phase.Menstruation may not be a surgical contraindication.

OBJECTIVETo preliminarily investigate the relationship between the Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and dental caries initiation.

METHODS100 S. mutans strains derived from caries-active and caries-free individuals were cultured in BHI medium supplemented with glucose. Cells were extracted and ruptured, and the extracted liquid protein was quantified with Coomassie brilliant blue G250 staining methods. LDH activity was assayed using the pyruvate-dependent oxidation of NADH-with and without FDP.

RESULTSLDH activity of the two groups strains had no difference (P > 0.05), but the distribution of differ class enzyme activity strains in the two groups was different (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLDH activity of S. mutans is correlated to the initiation of dental caries to some extent. The measurement methods in this study can be applied in preliminary quantitation of LDH activity and the screening of S. mutans strains.

Case-Control Studies ; Dental Caries ; microbiology ; Humans ; Lactate Dehydrogenases ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Streptococcus mutans ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the changes of arch width and arch length in Class Ⅱ division 1 non-extraction patients treated with Alexander technique.Methods Dental casts of 21 Class Ⅱ division 1non-extraction patients treated with Alexander appliance were taken before (T1) and after treatment(T2).All the casts were laser scanned.The arch width and arch length were digitally measured.The differences of arch width and arch length between T1 and T2 were recorded and analyzed.Results The upper arch length decreased from (32.82 ± 2.51) mm to (31.97 ± 2.17) mm (P ＜ 0.05).The lower arch length increased from (27.53 ± 2.61) mm to (28.80 ± 1.81) mm(P ＜ 0.05).The intercanine width in the upper arch changed significantly from T1 to T2.The intermolar width in the upper and lower arches increased significantly from T1 to T2.Conclusions Class Ⅱ division 1 non-extraction patients could be treated successfully by increasing the upper arch width.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; China ; Disasters ; statistics & numerical data ; Earthquakes ; Female ; Fractures, Open ; psychology ; surgery ; Humans ; Leg Injuries ; psychology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo study the genetic diversity of F-ATPase alpha subunit gene uncA derived from Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) clinical isolates and to investigate the relationship between the genetic diversity of acidurance factor and S. mutans aciduric ability, also and the cariogenicity.

METHODSSixty-four S. mutans strains derived from 34 caries-active individuals and 30 caries-free individuals, including 18 strains displaying high acid tolerance and 20 strains displaying low acid tolerance. Gene uncA was amplified with specific primers from S. mutans genomic DNA, then the PCR products were analyzed by RFLP and sequenced.

RESULTSTwo genotypes A and B of PCR-RFLP were revealed when digested with Hph I. Mbo II also produced two different pattern C and D. The distributions of A and B genotype strains with different caries-sensitivity groups were different (P < 0.05), and the proportion of A genotype strains from caries-activity group was higher than that from caries-free one. The distributions of C and D genotype strains with different acidurance strains were different (P < 0.05), and the proportion of C genotype strains from high acid tolerance group was higher than that from low acid tolerance group. These amplified uncA genes from different group were sequenced and there existed variation of Hph I and Mbo II recognized sites.

CONCLUSIONSThis study indicates that uncA gene of S. mutans F-ATPase obviously displayed genetic diversity. The different Hph I-RFLP and Mbo II-RFLP genotypes could be related to the cariogenicity and acid tolerance of S. mutans strains.

Bacterial Proton-Translocating ATPases ; genetics ; Dental Caries ; microbiology ; Genes, Bacterial ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Streptococcus mutans ; enzymology ; genetics

Purpose::Traumatic brain injury (TBI), currently a major global public health problem, imposes a significant economic burden on society and families. We aimed to quantify and predict the incidence and severity of TBI by analyzing its incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs). The epidemiological changes in TBI from 1990 to 2019 were described and updated to provide a reference for developing prevention, treatment, and incidence-reducing measures for TBI.Methods::A secondary analysis was performed on the incidence, prevalence, and YLDs of TBI by sex, age group, and region ( n =21,204 countries and territories) between 1990 and 2019 using the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019. Proportions in the age-standardized incidence rate due to underlying causes of TBI and proportions of minor and moderate or severe TBI were also reported. Results::In 2019, there were 27.16 million (95% uncertainty intervals ( UI): 23.36 -31.42) new cases of TBI worldwide, with age-standardized incidence and prevalence rates of 346 per 100,000 population (95% UI: 298 -401) and 599 per 100,000 population (95% UI: 573 -627), respectively. From 1990 to 2019, there were no significant trends in global age-standardized incidence (estimated annual percentage changes: -0.11%, 95% UI: -0.18% --0.04%) or prevalence (estimated annual percentage changes: 0.01%, 95% UI: -0.04% -0.06%). TBI caused 7.08 million (95% UI: 5.00 -9.59) YLDs in 2019, with age-standardized rates of 86.5 per 100,000 population (95% UI: 61.1 -117.2). In 2019, the countries with higher incidence rates were mainly distributed in Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Australia. The 2019 global age-standardized incidence rate was higher in males than in females. The 2019 global incidence of moderate and severe TBI was 182.7 per 100,000 population, accounting for 52.8% of all TBI, with falls and road traffic injuries being the main causes in most regions. Conclusions::The incidence of moderate and severe TBI was slightly higher in 2019, and TBI still accounts for a significant portion of the global injury burden. The likelihood of moderate to severe TBI and the trend of major injury under each injury cause from 1990 to 2019 and the characteristics of injury mechanisms in each age group are presented, providing a basis for further research on injury causes in each age group and the future establishment of corresponding policies and protective measures.

BACKGROUNDSmall noncoding microRNAs regulate gene expression in cardiac development and disease and have been implicated in the aging process and in the regulation of extracellular matrix proteins. However, their role in age-related cardiac remodeling and atrial fibrillation (AF) was not well understood. The present study was designed to decipher molecular mechanisms underlying age-related atrial structural remodeling and AF.

METHODSThree groups of dogs were studied: adult and aged dogs in sinus rhythm and with persistent AF induced by rapid atrial pacing. The expressions of microRNAs were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Pathohistological and ultrastructural changes were tested by light and electron microscopy. Apoptosis index of myocytes was detected by TUNEL.

RESULTSSamples of atrial tissue showed the abnormal pathohistological and ultrastructural changes, the accelerated fibrosis, and apoptosis with aging and/or in AF dogs. Compared to the adult group, the expressions of microRNAs-21 and -29 were significantly increased, whereas the expressions of microRNAs-1 and -133 showed obvious downregulation tendency in the aged group. Compared to the aged group, the expressions of microRNAs-1, -21, and -29 was significantly increased in the old group in AF; contrastingly, the expressions of microRNA-133 showed obvious downregulation tendency.

CONCLUSIONThese multiple aberrantly expressed microRNAs may be responsible for modulating the transition from adaptation to pathological atrial remodeling with aging and/or in AF.

Age Factors ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Atrial Fibrillation ; etiology ; Atrial Remodeling ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; physiology ; Dogs ; Electrocardiography ; Fibrosis ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; MicroRNAs ; analysis ; physiology ; Myocardium ; pathology ; ultrastructure