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Objective To explore the method of measuring root volume with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) three-dimensional reconstruction technology, and to study root length and root volume of upper and lower central incisors in patients with skeletal Class Ⅲ malocclusion treated by surgical orthodontic treatment. Methods Twenty patients with skeletal Class Ⅲ malocclusion undergoing surgical orthodontic treatment were selected. CBCT data at three time points, before decompensation treatment (T0), after decompensation treatment (before orthognathic surgery, T1), and the end of post-operative orthodontic treatment (T2) were collected. Three-dimensional reconstruction technology was used to measure the root length and root volume of the upper and lower central incisors (including total root volume, cervical root and apical root), calculate the percentage of reduction volume, and measure the distance of tooth movement after orthodontic treatment. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 20.0 software. Least significant difference (LSD) method was used for pair comparison between the groups subject to normal distribution, and non-parametric test was used for comparison between the groups not subject to normal distribution. The differences of root length and root volume of upper and lower incisors were compared, and the characteristics of root absorption were analyzed. Results Root length and root volume of the upper and lower central incisors were reduced during the surgical orthodontic treatment (P < 0.05) in cases. Both the root volume of cervical root and apical root were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), the reduction of apical root was more significant. The percentage of root volume reduction of the upper central incisor was (30.51±23.23)%, and lower central incisor (23.24±11.96)%. Compared with the upper central incisor, the root volume reduction amount and percentage of the lower central incisor were smaller, and apical root volume reduction of the upper central incisor was greater than that of the lower central incisor, which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). During pre-surgical orthodontic treatment, maxillary central incisor palatal moving was in a controlled tipping manner, and the mandibular central incisor tipped labially. Conclusion In patients with skeletal Class Ⅲ malocclusion, root length and total root volume of upper and lower central incisors decreased during surgical orthodontic treatment. Root volume measurement indicated that the cervical root also had root resorption. The difference in root resorption of the upper and lower central incisors might be related to the distance and direction of teeth movement. CBCT three-dimensional reconstruction will compensate for the limitation of root length measurement in evaluating root resorption.

Background: Schistosomiasis is a relatively neglected parasitic disease that afflicts more than 250 million people worldwide, for which the control strategy relies mainly on mass treatment with the only available drug, praziquantel (PZQ). This approach is not sustainable and is a priority for developing novel drug candidates for the treatment and control of schistosomiasis. Methodologys/Principal findings: In our previous study, we found that DW-3-15, a kind of PZQ derivative, could significantly downregulate the expression of the histone acetyltransferase of Schistosoma japonicum (SjHAT). In this study, several commercially available HAT inhibitors, A485, C646 and curcumin were screened in vitro to verify their antischistosomal activities against S. japonicum juveniles and adults. Parasitological studies and scanning electron microscopy were used to study the primary action characteristics of HAT inhibitors in vitro. Quantitative real-time PCR was employed to detect the mRNA level of SjHAT after treatment with different HAT inhibitors. Our results demonstrated that curcumin was the most effective inhibitor against both juveniles and adults of S. japonicum, and its schistosomicidal effects were time- and dose dependent. However, A485 and C646 had limited antischistosomal activity. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that in comparison with DW-3-15, curcumin caused similar tegumental changes in male adult worms. Furthermore, both curcumin and DW-3-15 significantly decreased the SjHAT mRNA level, and curcumin dose-dependently reduced the SjHAT expression level in female, male and juvenile worms. Conclusions: Among the three commercially available HATs, curcumin was the most potent against schistosomes. Both curcumin and our patent compound DW-3-15 markedly downregulated the expression of SjHAT, indicating that SjHAT may be a potential therapeutic target for developing novel antischistosomal drug candidates. Author summary: Schistosomiasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Schistosoma spp. infection. Due to the lack of effective vaccines for schistosomiasis, PZQ is the only available drug chosen for the treatment and control of schistosomiasis in most developing countries. Drug resistance due to long-term, large-scale and single-agent use has been a great concern. Therefore, there is an urgent need for new therapies. In our previous study, we developed the patented compound DW-3-15 (patent no. ZL201110142538.2), which has significant and stable antiparasitic activity, and can significantly decrease the expression of S. japonicum histone acetyltransferase (SjHAT). As we known, HATs are a class of epigenetic enzymes that are crucial for chromatin restructuring and transcriptional regulation in mammals and in parasitic development, and are thus promising targets for antischistosomal therapeutic development. In this study, we assessed three commercial HATs, including two selective p300/CBP inhibitors A485 and C646, and one natural compound, curcumin. Our results demonstrated that curcumin had the most potent worm-killing efficacy against S. japonicum juveniles and adults. In contrast, A485 and C646 displayed no effects on adult worms or mild effects on juveniles. Moreover, curcumin caused severe damage to the tegument of male worms, and the damage was similar to that of DW-3-15. Coincidentally, both curcumin and DW-3-15 significantly downregulated the expression of SjHAT, indicating that SjHAT might be an effective target for the development of novel therapeutic drugs. The screening and identification of selective HAT inhibitors may be a promising strategy for developing novel antischistosomal agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schiff base {(E)‐4‐((2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzylidene)amino)‐1,5‐dimethyl‐2‐phenyl‐1,2‐dihydro‐3H‐pyrazol‐3‐one} was prepared by the condensation reaction between 2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzaldehyde and 4‐aminoantipyrine. In the process of forming the title complex, Schiff base was first coordinated with CuII ions to form the mononuclear CuII complex (abbreviated as the complex (I)). Next, Schiff base in the complex (I) removed a phenyl group and then changed from the amide to the iminol. The tautomer further formed the complex through the iminol oxygen, and the phenolic oxygen coordinated with metal ions (CuII and BiIII). The structure of the polynuclear CuIIBiIII complex (abbreviated as the complex (II)) was identified as [Bi2Cu6 L6O3] (L = C13H13N3O3) by elemental analysis, FT‐IR spectra, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The antibacterial effect of Schiff base and its complex (II) were assessed on four bacterial strains involving gram‐positive strains (S. aureus and B. subtilis) and gram‐negative strains (E. coli and P. aeruginosa). The complex (II) exhibited stronger antibacterial activity than Schiff base. Assessment of cytotoxic activity against SNU‐16 cells (Human gastric cancer) has demonstrated that the complex (II) was more active than Schiff base, and their IC50 values were 0.29 and 1.83 μM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]