Depo-Provera ; field study ; Human Females ; Malaysia ; Contraceptive Agents

This study evaluated, over a 4-month study period, the amount of apical root resorption occurring in maxillary central incisors following their retraction when employing either micro-implant or J-hook headgear anchorage. The prospective randomised clinical trial was conducted in Orthodontic Clinic, College of Stomatology, China from 2008-2009. Subjects are patients requiring fixed appliances on waiting list (n=20). In female Han Chinese patients aged from 16-26 years, standardized periapical radiographs from 10 randomly assigned patients with maxillary protrusions comprising the micro-implant group, and from 10 similar patients comprising the J-hook headgear group, were assessed for maxillary central incisor apical root resorption. Measurements before and after orthodontic therapy were also obtained from lateral cephalometric radiographs to calculate incisor horizontal retraction and vertical intrusion distances. Estimated retraction force vectors were calculated in horizontal and vertical directions for both treatment groups. Data analysis employed t-tests and the Pearson correlation test, with α=0.05 for statistical significance. The results showed that when compared with the J-hook group, significantly more apical root resorption shortening of the maxillary central incisors was observed in the micro-implant group (1.27 mm difference, 95% CI=0.70-1.84, P<0.001), which was associated with a significantly larger retraction distance (P=0.004) and a smaller vertical force component (P<0.0001). We are led to conclude that continuous activation of the nickel-titanium coil springs used in the micro-implant group resulted in significantly more apical root resorption shortening and maxillary central incisor retraction than when intermittent J-hook retraction was employed. The employment of continuous duration orthodontic forces presents a risk for increased apical root resorption that requires careful radiographic monitoring.

In China, the control and prevention programs on any disease has always been based on comprehensive strategies. Take influenza as an example, related contents would include: strengthening the surveillance, recommendation and promotion of vaccination, rational use of antiviral drugs, conducting outbreak investigation and control, and publicizing individual protective measures, etc. In terms of the response to challenges, specific proposals would include: adjustment of case reports, optimization of surveillance systems, reinforcement of vaccination recommendation by health care workers, improvement of access to vaccination, development of rapid diagnostic reagents, and rational use of antiviral drugs, etc.
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use* ; China/epidemiology* ; Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control* ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage* ; Influenza, Human/prevention & control* ; Primary Prevention/organization & administration* ; Program Development ; Seasons ; Vaccination

Background: and Purpose Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. While intravenous thrombolysis is recommended within 4.5 hours of last known well (LKW) time, many patients present beyond this window. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating tenecteplase (TNK) administration in AIS patients within 4.5 to 24 hours of LKW. The primary outcomes assessed functional independence and ordinal modified Rankin Scale (mRS) shift at 90 days. Safety outcomes included symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and mortality at 90 days. Results: Three RCTs were included, comprising 1,054 patients (532 TNK and 522 standard medical therapy) with a mean age of 69 years, 59% males, and median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 10.5. TNK treatment was associated with mRS 0–2 at 90 days (odds ratio [OR]: 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.70, P=0.023), indicating a 33% higher likelihood of achieving functional independence. However, the ordinal mRS shift showed no significant difference (standardized mean difference: 0.01, 95% CI: -0.37–0.39, P=0.09). Safety outcomes indicated no difference in the rates of sICH (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 0.86–5.00, P=0.1), and no difference in 90-day mortality (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.76–1.53, P=0.67). Conclusion This meta-analysis suggests TNK might be safe and effective for selected AIS patients in the 4.5- to 24-hour time window, offering improved functional outcomes without a significant increase in hemorrhagic complications.

Background: and Purpose Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. While intravenous thrombolysis is recommended within 4.5 hours of last known well (LKW) time, many patients present beyond this window. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating tenecteplase (TNK) administration in AIS patients within 4.5 to 24 hours of LKW. The primary outcomes assessed functional independence and ordinal modified Rankin Scale (mRS) shift at 90 days. Safety outcomes included symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and mortality at 90 days. Results: Three RCTs were included, comprising 1,054 patients (532 TNK and 522 standard medical therapy) with a mean age of 69 years, 59% males, and median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 10.5. TNK treatment was associated with mRS 0–2 at 90 days (odds ratio [OR]: 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.70, P=0.023), indicating a 33% higher likelihood of achieving functional independence. However, the ordinal mRS shift showed no significant difference (standardized mean difference: 0.01, 95% CI: -0.37–0.39, P=0.09). Safety outcomes indicated no difference in the rates of sICH (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 0.86–5.00, P=0.1), and no difference in 90-day mortality (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.76–1.53, P=0.67). Conclusion This meta-analysis suggests TNK might be safe and effective for selected AIS patients in the 4.5- to 24-hour time window, offering improved functional outcomes without a significant increase in hemorrhagic complications.

Background: and Purpose Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. While intravenous thrombolysis is recommended within 4.5 hours of last known well (LKW) time, many patients present beyond this window. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating tenecteplase (TNK) administration in AIS patients within 4.5 to 24 hours of LKW. The primary outcomes assessed functional independence and ordinal modified Rankin Scale (mRS) shift at 90 days. Safety outcomes included symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and mortality at 90 days. Results: Three RCTs were included, comprising 1,054 patients (532 TNK and 522 standard medical therapy) with a mean age of 69 years, 59% males, and median baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score of 10.5. TNK treatment was associated with mRS 0–2 at 90 days (odds ratio [OR]: 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.70, P=0.023), indicating a 33% higher likelihood of achieving functional independence. However, the ordinal mRS shift showed no significant difference (standardized mean difference: 0.01, 95% CI: -0.37–0.39, P=0.09). Safety outcomes indicated no difference in the rates of sICH (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 0.86–5.00, P=0.1), and no difference in 90-day mortality (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 0.76–1.53, P=0.67). Conclusion This meta-analysis suggests TNK might be safe and effective for selected AIS patients in the 4.5- to 24-hour time window, offering improved functional outcomes without a significant increase in hemorrhagic complications.

Objective: To analyze and reveal the distribution, research hotspots and study trend of worldwide published articles correlated with HIV/AIDS post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and provide information for related studies in China. Methods: CiteSpace software 5.1 was used to visualize all related papers in the web of science database published during 2000-2017. Results: The average growth rate of international PEP-related papers was 10.78%,and number of published papers in 2016 was highest (n=34), relevant research hotspots have shifted from the prevention of occupational HIV exposure to the prevention of non-occupational HIV exposure in group at high risk, such as MSM, in recent years. Clustering analysis classified research hotspots into three categories, including risk reduction through enhanced intervention, current status of global HIV PEP and German-Austrian Recommendation. Conclusions: Non-occupational HIV PEP in groups at high-risk, especially MSM, has received increasing attention in recent years, the research of PEP mainly focus on improving the awareness and use of PEP in MSM and compliance in the course of medication. In the context of severe HIV epidemic in MSM without effective control in China, PEP should be strengthened to assess and explore the risk of HIV infection in MSM to provide reference for medical personnel and related departments to implement HIV non-occupation exposure blockade and formulate PEP medication.
Anti-HIV Agents/administration & dosage* ; Bibliometrics ; Biomedical Research ; China ; HIV ; HIV Infections/prevention & control* ; Homosexuality, Male ; Humans ; Male ; Periodicals as Topic ; Post-Exposure Prophylaxis/methods*

Tourette syndrome is a childhood-onset disorder characterized by a combination of motor and vocal tics, often associated with psychiatric comorbidities including attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Despite an onset early in life, half of patients may present symptoms in adulthood, with variable degrees of severity. In select cases, the syndrome may lead to significant physical and social impairment, and a worrisome risk for self injury. Evolving research has provided evidence supporting the idea that the pathophysiology of Tourette syndrome is directly related to a disrupted circuit involving the cortex and subcortical structures, including the basal ganglia, nucleus accumbens, and the amygdala. There has also been a notion that a dysfunctional group of neurons in the putamen contributes to an abnormal facilitation of competing motor responses in basal ganglia structures ultimately underpinning the generation of tics. Surgical therapies for Tourette syndrome have been reserved for a small group of patients not responding to behavioral and pharmacological therapies, and these therapies have been directed at modulating the underlying pathophysiology. Lesion therapy as well as deep brain stimulation has been observed to suppress tics in at least some of these cases. In this article, we will review the clinical aspects of Tourette syndrome, as well as the evolution of surgical approaches and we will discuss the evidence and clinical responses to deep brain stimulation in various brain targets. We will also discuss ongoing research and future directions as well as approaches for open, scheduled and closed loop feedback-driven electrical stimulation for the treatment of Tourette syndrome.
Amygdala ; Basal Ganglia ; Brain* ; Comorbidity ; Deep Brain Stimulation* ; Electric Stimulation ; Humans ; Neurons ; Nucleus Accumbens ; Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder ; Putamen ; Tics* ; Tourette Syndrome*

In the retina, pH fluctuations may play an important role in adapting retinal responses to different light intensities and are involved in the fine tuning of visual perception. Acidosis occurs in the subretinal space (SRS) under pathological conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Although it is well known that many transporters in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells can maintain pH homeostasis efficiently, other receptors in RPE may also be involved in sensing acidosis, such as acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs). In this study, we investigated whether ASIC1a was expressed in the RPE cells and whether it was involved in the function of these cells. Real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to analyze the ASIC1a expression in ARPE-19 cells during oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Furthermore, inhibition or over-expression of ASIC1a in RPE cells was obtained using inhibitors (amiloride and PCTx1) or by the transfection of cDNA encoding hASIC1a. Cell viability was determined by using the MTT assay. The real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting results showed that both the mRNA and protein of ASIC1a were expressed in RPE cells. Inhibition of ASICs by amiloride in normal RPE cells resulted in cell death, indicating that ASICs play an important physiological role in RPE cells. Furthermore, over-expression of ASIC1a in RPE cells prolonged cell survival under oxidative stress induced by H(2)O(2). In conclusion, ASIC1a is functionally expressed in RPE cells and may play an important role in the physiological function of RPE cells by protecting them from oxidative stress.
Acid Sensing Ion Channels ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Ion Channel Gating ; physiology ; Oxidative Stress ; physiology ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium ; cytology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore anti-inflammation and mechanism of Qinghuachang Decoction (QD) by using LPS stimulated differentiated colon cancer Caco-2 cells (as an inflammation model of human enterocytes).

METHODSQD was prepared. Human colonic epithelial Caco-2 cells were cultured. Expressions of TNF-alpha and IL-8 were determined using ELISA. Expressions of inhibitory Kaba protein (IkappaB-alpha), phosphorylated inhibitory Kaba protein (p-lkappaB-alpha), nuclear transcription factor p50 (p50), and nuclear transcription factor ReIA (ReIA) protein were determined by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the negative control group (without LPS stimulation), LPS stimulated the release of IL-8 and TNF-alpha in Caco-2 cells (P < 0.05). QD treatment could reduce the secretion of TNF-alpha and IL-8 induced by LPS in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.05). QD at 0, 5, 10, and 50 microg/mL had no significant effect on Caco-2 cell survival rates (P > 0.05), with no statistical difference among various concentrations (P > 0.05). QD could significantly suppress nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) phosphorylation stimulated by LPS. The expression of p-IKappaB-alpha was decreased with increasing concentrations of QD (P < 0.05). There was no obvious change in IKB-alphaB expressions (P > 0.05). Expressions of p50 and ReIA decreased with increasing concentrations of QD (P < 0.05). Both of them were in a dose dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONQD inhibited LPS mediated NF-kappaB activation, which might be one of its mechanisms for treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Caco-2 Cells ; Colon ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Enterocytes ; Humans ; I-kappa B Proteins ; metabolism ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-8 ; Lipopolysaccharides ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism