BACKGROUND:In the fluorine-containing acidic environment, it is unclear whether Damon copper- nickel-titanium arch wire can have a corrosion resistance similar to conventional nickel-titanium arch wire and whether copper ion wil affect its corrosion resistance. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the corrosion resistance of 3M nickel-titanium arch wires and Damon copper-nickel-titanium arch wires in artificial saliva with different fluoride and pH. METHODS:Potentiodynamic polarization curves of 3M nickel-titanium arch wires and Damon copper-nickel-titanium arch wires were measured in four kinds of artificial saliva (pH=7; pH=7, 0.2% fluoride; pH=7, 0.5% fluoride; pH=5, 0.5% fluoride). Then, the corrosion potential, corrosion current density and polarization resistance were acquired, and scanning electron microscope was used for morphological observation after corrosion. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In neutral (pH=7) artificial saliva, 0.2% fluoride ions added could shift up the Damon specimen polarization curve, increase the corrosion cerrent density and reduce the polarization resistance (P < 0.05); under the scanning electron microscope, corrosion was observable on the specimen surface. But 3M specimen polarization curve did not move, corrosion current density and polarization resistance substantialy unchanged (P > 0.05), and no significant corrosion was produced. When fluoride concentration was increased to 0.5%, the polarization curves of two kinds of the specimens moved, the corrosion cerrent density increased, the polarization resistance decreased (P < 0.05), and there was significant presence of corrosion on the specimen surface. When pH=5, corrosion phenomenon was more pronounced. These findings suggest that low concentrations fluoride cannot affect corrosion resistance of 3M arch wire, but can reduce the corrosion resistance of Damon arch wire; high concentrations of fluoride and acid can both reduce their corrosion resistance. In addition, the corrosion resistance of 3M arch is stronger than that of Damon arch wire.

Objective To study the real-time gait behavioral changes in rat models of experimental diabetic peripheral neuropathy.Methods Twenty-five SPF Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into experimental group ( 6 males and 7 females) and control group (6 males and 6 females).Diabetes was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin ( STZ ) in a dose of 45 mg/kg.The gait behavior in all rats was tested at 12 weeks after diabetes modelling.Results Compared with the control group, the rats with diabetic peripheral neuropathy showed statistically significant different walk cycle extension, walk speed, average print intensity, balance and coordination.The abnormal gait behavior of the rat models was mainly reflected in the increased average and each foot walk cycle extension ( P<0.01 ) , average intensity (P<0.05), absolute average body rotation (P<0.01),and shortened both homologous coupling and homolateral coupling( P <0.05 ) .Conclusions Experimental rat models of diabetic peripheral neuropathy can exhibit obvious changes of gait behavior, and may provide a reference for related clinical and basic research.

Objective: To examine the causal relationship between body mass index (BMI) and 25 types of autoimmune diseases (ADs) using Mendelian randomization (MR) study method. Methods: The genome-wide association study (GWAS) data for BMI and 25 types of ADs were obtained from IEU OPEN GWAS database. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to BMI were used as instrumental variables, 25 types of ADs were used as study outcomes, and MR analysis was performed using inverse variance weighted (IVW) method. Heterogeneity was evaluated using Cochran's Q test, horizontal pleiotropy was tested using MR-Egger regression and MR-PRESSO, and results robustness was verified with leave-one-out method. Results: Cochran's Q test showed heterogeneity of MR analysis results (P<0.05), and a random effect model was employed. The results of MR analysis showed that elevated BMI increased the incidence risks of type 1 diabetes mellitus (OR=1.519, 95%CI: 1.281-1.801), IgA nephropathy (OR=1.227, 95%CI: 1.134-1.327), adult Still disease (OR=1.002, 95%CI: 1.001-1.003), multiple sclerosis (OR=1.303, 95%CI: 1.115-1.523), narcolepsy (OR=1.029, 95%CI: 1.017-1.040), Hashimoto thyroiditis (OR=1.561, 95%CI: 1.391-1.751), autoimmune hepatitis (OR=1.481, 95%CI: 1.076-2.038), rheumatoid arthritis (OR=1.209, 95%CI: 1.054-1.386), psoriasis vulgaris (OR=1.719, 95%CI: 1.427-2.070) and pernicious anemia (OR=1.001, 95%CI: 1.000-1.002). No causal relationship was found with other ADs (all P>0.05). MR-Egger regression identified no horizontal pleiotropy of instrumental variables (all P>0.05), while MR-PRESSO test identified partial horizontal pleiotropy (all P<0.05), which remained consistent with the original results after adjustment (P>0.05). Leave-one-out analysis showed results robustness. Conclusion There are causal relationship among BMI and type 1 diabetes mellitus, IgA nephropathy, adult Still disease, multiple sclerosis, narcolepsy, Hashimoto thyroiditis, autoimmune hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis vulgaris and pernicious anemia.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) has become the main cause of chronic liver disease in children worldwide, and the incidence of NAFLD shows an increasing trend year by year. The risk factors leading to the onset of NAFLD in children are diversified and different from those in adults. At present, most medical institutions still pay little attention to NAFLD in children. This paper summarizes the risk factors and mechanisms for NAFLD in children, including gene polymorphism, maternal and fetal conditions, diet and living habits, environmental exposure, metabolic syndrome, endocrine-related mechanisms and intestinal microecology, in order to provide reference for the prevention and management of childhood NAFLD.

Objective To detect the express of the pulmonary fibrosis factor CTGF,TGF-β1 and the senescence correlated β-Gal in the primary pulmonary bulla,and investigate the correlation of the pulmonary fibrosis factor,cell senescence and the development of the primary pulmonary bulla.Methods The expression of CTGF,TGF-β1 and β-Gal protein in the tissue of normal lung tissues and lung bullae were tested.The cell image extracted with the digital camera system was entered into the Image-pro Plus 6.0 morphology Image analysis system and analyzed with Semi-quantitative way.Results The expression level of TGF-β1 and CTGF in primary pulmonary bulla organization was obviously higher than that of normal lung tissue.There was a statistically significant difference(P ＜ 0.05).CTGF and TGF-β1 expression level had a significant correlation (r =0.965,P ＜ 0.01).β-Gal expression level of primary pulmonary bullae had no obvious difference with normal lung tissue.Conclusion CTGF and TGF-β1 may play an important role in the formation of primary pulmonary bulla.Both play a synergistic role in the formation of primary pulmonary bulla.Cell senescence is not relevanted with the formation of primary pulmonary bulla.

Objective: To investigate the combined preventive effect of folic acid (FA) and vitamin B12 (VB12) on the developmental toxicity of alcohol. Methods: To build animal model with the developmental toxicity by giving 5g/kg bw alcohol (25% ethanol) intragastrically (IG) to ICR mice during gestational day (GD) 6-15. In addition to alcohol, three groups were given FA 60 mg/kg bw, VB12 1 mg/kg bw, FA 60 mg/kg bw + VB12 1 mg/kg bw respectively by IG during GD1-GD16. An alcohol model group and a negative control group were set. All dams were killed at GD18. Results: Compared to the alcohol model group, the pregnant mice of FA + VB12 combined intervention group put on more weight during pregnancy; the live fetal rate; the fetal weight, body length and tail length were all increased; the abnormal ossification rate of sternum, occipital bone, and four limbs dropped (P

AIM: To isolate the stem cells from human placenta and induce them into cardiomyocytes. METHODS: Stem cells were isolated from human placenta and characterized by morphologic analysis. The “hanging drop” methods were used to inducte stem cells into cardiomyocytes. The expressions of atrial natriuretic factor(Anf) and ?-myosin heavy chain(?-MHC) genes were analyzed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Stem cells derived from human placenta were self-renewed and differentiated into cardiomyocytes in vitro. RT-PCR showed that Anf and ?-MHC genes were expressed in the “beating cells”.CONCLUSION: Human placenta is an abundant source of stem cells.

Objective: To investigate the factors associated with CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ T lymphocyte ratio normalization in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients after antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods: The data of 1 188 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS patients from the national ART reporting system in Yuxi City, Yunnan Province between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2016 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. The rate of CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ T lymphocyte ratio normalization after ART was calculated by lifetable. Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyze the factors associated with CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ T lymphocyte normalization in AIDS patients after ART. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for comparison between groups. Results: The follow-up time was 3.8 (1.0-10.8) years. CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ T lymphocyte ratio normalization was documented in 95 patients with the rate of 1.89 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval(CI) 1.52-2.27) after ART. The average time from ART to CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ T lymphocyte ratio normalized was 9.4 years. The cumulative normalization rate was 0.02 for the first year, 0.06 for the third year, 0.11 for the fifth year, 0.19 for the seventh year and 0.37 for the ninth year. By Cox proportional hazard models, the probability of CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ T lymphocyte ratio normalization in patients infected HIV by heterosexual contacts was 3.709 (95%CI 1.781-7.726) times higher than those by intravenous injection. The probability of CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ T lymphocyte ratio normalization in patients with baseline CD4⁺ T lymphocytes of 350-499 and more than 500 cell/μL groups were 2.792 (95%CI 1.196-6.519) and 3.832 (95%CI 1.648-8.913) times higher than those with baseline CD4⁺ T lymphocytes less than 200 cell/μL, respectively. The probability of normalization after ART in patients with higher baseline CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ T lymphocyte ratio was higher than those with baseline CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ T lymphocyte ratio≤ 0.20 (hazard ratio>1, all P<0.01). Conclusion The CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ T lymphocyte ratio normalization in AIDS patients after ART is associated with baseline CD4⁺ T lymphocyte counts, baseline CD4⁺ /CD8⁺ T lymphocyte ratio and HIV transmission mode.

Objective Definition Chiasm of crus penis and discuss its possible role in penile erection. Methods Penile samples were acquired from 15 formalin preserved corpses.The structure located among crus penises were observed.The information about the structure located in crus penises with the nerve and blood vessel structure were recorded and analyzed. Results There was a structure of muscle fiber of ischiocavernosus among the crus penises.These muscle fiber through muscle bundle and tendon reach albuginea of cavernous body of the penis.There was long muscle fiber in the lateral surface of crus penises.While the muscle bundles were interlaced with each other with opposite side homonymous muscle and were encased with connective tissue when it reach to the back side of cavernous body of the penis.There were nerves and blood vessels observed in and out of the cavernous body of the penis and through the above structure in the crus penises. Conclusions Chiasm of crus penis was named as a structure of muscle fiber coming from two sides of the ischiocavernosus in crus penises.The structure of Chiasm of crus penis may provide an internal connection for the role of controlling the erection of the penis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and immunologic regulation function of interleukin-23 and its related cytokines in chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) patients. Levels of cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) were detected by reverse-transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction in 30 patients with chronic ITP and 15 healthy volunteers. The quantity of IL-23, IL-12, IL-17 in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that low detectable mRNA levels of IL-23p19, IL-12p35, IL-27 and IL-12p40 were found in all patients and healthy persons. Trace of IL-17 mRNA were expressed in PBMNC of part of patients and normal controls. Levels of IL-12p35, IL-27, IL-17 mRNA between healthy persons and chronic ITP patients were not statistically different. Compared with normal controls, patients showed the lower expression levels of IL-23p19 and IL-12p40 mRNA (p < 0.01). The IL-12 levels of chronic ITP patients were significantly higher than that of normal controls (p < 0.01). The IL-23 and IL-17 levels of chronic ITP patients were same to that of normal controls. It is concluded that the imbalance of T cell subsets in ITP patients mainly associated with IL-12, but not with IL-23 and IL-17.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-12 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-12 Subunit p35 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-12 Subunit p40 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-17 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-23 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-23 Subunit p19 ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; metabolism ; Young Adult