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Purpose: To determine the latent class and heterogeneous associations of oral health behaviors (OHB) with caries in preschool children aged 3-6 years, and to develop effective oral health interventions for improving their health status., Methods: Latent class analysis(LCA) was applied to classify eight OHBs in three dimensions: oral hygiene, dietary habits, and preventive protection in 595 preschool children. Optimal classes were determined using model fitting and explanatory metrics, and marginal effects were estimated using bivariate association and multivariate regression models. The correlation between OHBs and caries was explored using Chi-square and correspondence analysis with SPSS 27.0 software package., Results: Among 595 preschool children, caries prevalence was 54%, and OHBs were classified into two latent classes: favorable (88%) and unfavorable (12%). Unfavorable OHBs were associated with higher caries prevalence (58% vs. 52%), poorer caries status (mean dmft: 3.52 vs. 2.44), and lower regular examination experience (63% vs. 66%) compared to favorable OHBs. The difference in caries severity distribution between the two classes was statistically significant (P＜0.05)., Conclusions: Oral health behaviors in preschool children are heterogeneous and associated with caries. Effective interventions for improving OHBs in preschool children should be tailored according to this heterogeneity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether mediastinal lymph node enlargement (MLNE) predicts progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF). METHODS: A total of 800 patients hospitalised for interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) were included in our study. The clinical presentations, radiographic features and laboratory findings of the patients were reviewed. RESULTS: MLNE was present in 313 (39.1%) ILD patients and were associated with higher total fibrosis score and risk of death than ILD patients without MLNE. The risk factors for PPF were age (OR 1.044, 95% CI 1.020-1.069; P < 0.001), the total extent of fibrosis (OR 1.396, 95% CI 1.116-1.746; P = 0.003) and MLNE (OR 2.130, 95% CI 1.362-3.332; P = 0.001) compared to non-PPF. Multivariable analysis showed that age, the lactate dehydrogenase level, MLNE, the total fibrosis score and pulmonary arterial systolic pressure were risk/prognostic factors for ILD patients. The model was robust in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. However, the only risk/prognostic factor common to other ILD subgroups was the total fibrosis score. CONCLUSIONS: MLNE is associated with higher total fibrosis score and worse prognosis in ILD patients and could predict the occurrence of PPF. The only risk/prognostic factor applicable to all subgroups of ILDs is the total pulmonary fibrosis score.

We extracted, purified, and characterized three neutral and three acidic polysaccharides from the roots, stems, and leaves of Aralia continentalis Kitigawa. The results of the analysis of monosaccharide composition indicated that the polysaccharides from the roots and stems were more similar to each other than they were to the polysaccharides from the leaves. The in vitro antioxidant results demonstrated that the acidic polysaccharides had stronger antioxidant activity than the neutral fractions. Therefore, we investigated the primary purified acidic polysaccharide fractions (WACP(R)-A-c, WACP(S)-A-c, and WACP(L)-A-d) by NMR and enzymatic analysis. The structural analytical results indicated that WACP(R)-A-c contained homogalacturonan (HG); WACP(S)-A-c contained HG and rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II), and WACP(L)-A-d contained HG, RG-II, and rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) domains. Our findings offer insights into the screening of natural polysaccharide-based antioxidants and provide a theoretical basis for the application of A. continentalis.

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has caused a health care crisis all over the world since the end of 2019. Although vaccines and neutralizing antibodies have been developed, rapidly emerging variants usually display stronger immune escape ability and can better surpass vaccine protection. Therefore, it is still vital to find proper treatment strategies. To date, antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2 have mainly focused on proteases or polymerases. Notably, noncanonical nucleic acid structures called G-quadruplexes (G4s) have been identified in many viruses in recent years, and numerous G4 ligands have been developed. During this pandemic, literature on SARS-CoV-2 G4s is rapidly accumulating. Here, we first summarize the recent progress in the identification of SARS-CoV-2 G4s and their intervention by ligands. We then introduce the potential interacting proteins of SARS-CoV-2 G4s from both the virus and the host that may regulate G4 functions. The innovative strategy to use G4s as a diagnostic tool in SARS-CoV-2 detection is also reviewed. Finally, we discuss some key questions to be addressed in the future., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In recent years, G-quadruplexes (G4s), types of noncanonical four-stranded nucleic acid structures, have been identified in many viruses that threaten human health, such as HIV and Epstein-Barr virus. In this context, G4 ligands were designed to target the G4 structures, among which some have shown promising antiviral effects. In this Perspective, we first summarize the diversified roles of RNA G4s in different viruses. Next, we introduce small-molecule ligands developed as G4 modulators and highlight their applications in antiviral studies. In addition to G4s, we comprehensively review the medical intervention of G4-interacting proteins from both the virus (N protein, viral-encoded helicases, severe acute respiratory syndrome-unique domain, and Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1) and the host (heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins, RNA helicases, zinc-finger cellular nucelic acid-binding protein, and nucleolin) by inhibitors as an alternative way to disturb the normal functions of G4s. Finally, we discuss the challenges and opportunities in G4-based antiviral therapy.

Liquid biopsy is becoming an innovative tool in precision oncology owing to its noninvasive identification of biomarkers circulating in the body fluid at various time points for continuous and real-time analysis of disease progression. MicroRNAs in blood exosomes are identified as a new promising class of potential biomarkers for cancer diagnostics and prognostics. Conventional detection of blood exosomal microRNAs need multiple-step, complicated, costly, and time-consuming sample preparation of exosomes isolation and RNA extract, which affect the accuracy and reproducibility of analytical results. In this work, we set up an in situ quantitative analysis of human plasma exosomal miR-1246 by a probe of 2'-O-methyl and phosphorothioate modified molecular beacon. The probe has outstanding nuclease resistance in highly active RNase A/T1/I, which makes it stable for direct application in blood samples. With rapid rupture of exosomes membrane by Triton X-100, the probe can enter exosomes to specifically target miR-1246 exhibiting quantitative fluorescent signals. Using the output signals as a diagnostic marker, we differentiated 33 breast cancer patients from 37 healthy controls with 97.30% sensitivity and 93.94% specificity at the best cutoff. The blood biopsy is simple without extracting plasma exosomes and their nucleic acids content, time-saving in about 2 h of total analysis process, and microvolumes needed for plasma sample, suggesting its good potential to clinical application.

Purpose : To provide a detailed review on the therapeutic efficacy of conbercept for the management of ocular vasculopathies. Methods : A comprehensive literature search of various electronic databases was performed. Results : Ocular vasculopathy is one of the major causes of visual impairment and blindness which includes a range of disorders. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) regulates angiogenesis, enhances vascular permeability, and drives the formation of neovascularization. Anti-VEGF therapy has been shown to prevent vision loss or potentially improve vision in patients with exudative or neovascular retinal disease. The most recent anti-VEGF drug in China is conbercept. In the USA and Europe, bevacizumab is the most recently approved anti-VEGF agent. Conclusions : Conbercept serves as another anti-VEGF option for patients with neovascular AMD and other retinal vascular disorders. There have not been many clinical trials that study conbercept as compared with other currently available anti-VEGF drugs. There is a need for large-scale, well-designed, randomized clinical trials to ensure its long-term safety and efficacy and to determine if it has any advantages over other anti-VEGF agents.

Background/objectives: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of topical tacrolimus 0.1% and cyclosporine 1% on high-risk penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) patients., Subjects/methods: A series of 49 high-risk PKP patients (49 eyes), 20 males, 29 females from the age of 4 months to 74 years of age with the mean of 32.5 from 2012 to 2017 were recruited in this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups by receiving either topical tacrolimus 0.1% or cyclosporine 1% respectively. Twenty five patients were treated with topical tacrolimus 0.1% and 24 patients with topical cyclosporine 1%. The traditional baseline management on these two groups were Tobramycin and Dexamethasone eye drops in the first 3 weeks and then tapered off. Clinical procedures and postoperative follow-up were documented., Results: After 6-54 months follow-up, with the average of 24 months, 11 of 24 high-risk patients (11 eyes) had graft rejection, the rejection rate was 45.8% in topical cyclosporine 1% group. The rejections occurred from 35 days to 20 months after PKP. Three patients had irreversible rejection. On topical tacrolimus 0.1% group, the rejection occurred in four patients (four eyes) with rejection rate of 16%, and no irreversible rejection was observed. The graft rejection episodes were documented between 23 days and 24 months. As compared with the topical cyclosporine 1%, topical tacrolimus 0.1%, a key immunosuppressant, significantly decreased corneal graft rejection rate (p = 0.02)., Conclusions: Topical tacrolimus 01% on high-risk PKP patients significantly prevented corneal graft rejection, and it had less adverse effects and was very safe to high-risk patients as to topical cyclosporine 1%. Further case controlled randomized clinical trial studies are needed to establish the best management option for these high-risk patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of the vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor conbercept (KH902) on corneal neovascularization and wound healing following penetrating keratoplasty in rabbits., Methods: Conbercept was administered to New Zealand white rabbits through topical and subconjunctival routes. Corneal neovascularization and wound healing were examined by slit-lamp photography and histological analyses. The expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor, α-smooth muscle actin, and keratocan in the corneal grafts were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)., Results: The anterior segment photographs demonstrated that corneal neovascularization started in the 2nd week. In the 4th week, histologically, the superficial corneal stroma layer showed disordered arrangement, and there were large numbers of dense inflammatory cells and blood vessels in the stroma layer. Vascular endothelial growth factor in the experimental groups was significantly decreased at all time points compared with the control group (both P = 0.001). Expression of α-smooth muscle actin in corneal grafts demonstrated an increase in time even it was lower in experimental groups, but the difference was not statistically significant (P equaled to 0.507 and 0.723, respectively). There were no significant differences with the expression of keratocan in all groups except that it significantly declined at the 4th week as to the second week in all groups and P values were 0.022, 0.020 and 0.014 in control (C), topical (E1), and subconjunctival (E2) group, respectively., Conclusion: The study found that conbercept inhibited the formation of corneal neovascularization without affecting keratocan-mediated corneal wound healing and there were no significant differences between topical administration of different doses of conbercept on the rabbit corneal neovascularization after penetrating keratoplasty in this study., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (© 2020 Liu et al.)

We herein report an efficient Ag + and S 2- dual sensing scenario by a three-dimensional (3D) Cu-based metal-organic framework [Cu(Cdcbp)(bpea)] n (MOF 1, H 3 CdcbpBr = 3-carboxyl-(3,5-dicarboxybenzyl)-pyridinium bromide, bpea = 1,2-di(4-pyridinyl)ethane) shielded with a 5-carboxytetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA)-labeled C-rich single-stranded DNA (ss-probe DNA, P-DNA) as a fluorescent probe. The formed MOF-DNA probe, denoted as P-DNA@1, is able to sequentially detect Ag + and S 2- in one pot, with detection limits of 3.8 nM (for Ag + ) and 5.5 nM (for S 2- ), which are much more lower than the allowable Ag + (0.5 μM) and S 2- (0.6 μM) concentration in drinking water as regulated by World Health Organization (WHO). The detection method has been successfully applied to sense Ag + and S 2- in domestic, lake, and mineral water with satisfactory recoveries ranging from 98.2 to 107.3%. The detection mechanism was further confirmed by molecular simulation studies., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Seedling vigour (SV) is important for direct seeding rice (Oryza sativa L.), especially in a paddy-direct seeding system, but the genetic mechanisms behind the related traits remain largely unknown. Here, we used 744 germplasms, having at least two subsets, for the detection of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting the SV-related traits tiller number, plant height, and aboveground dry weight at three sampling stages, 27, 34, and 41 d after sowing. A joint map based on GAPIT and mrMLM produced a satisfying balance between type I and II errors. In total, 42 QTL regions, containing 18 (42.9%) previously reported overlapping QTL regions and 24 new ones, responsible for SV were detected throughout the genome. Four QTL regions, qSV1a, qSV3e, qSV4c, and qSV7c, were delimited and harboured quantitative trait nucleotides that are responsible for SV-related traits. Favourable haplotype mining for the candidate genes within these four regions, as well as the early SV gene OsGA20ox1, was performed, and the favourable haplotypes were presented with donors from the 3,000 Rice Genome Project. This work provides new information and materials for the future molecular breeding of direct seeding rice, especially in paddy-direct seeding cultivation systems.

Breast cancer is the second cause of cancer mortality in women globally. Early detection, treatment, and metastasis monitoring are of great importance to favorable prognosis. Although conventional diagnostic methods, such as breast X-ray mammography and image positioning biopsy, are accurate, they could cause radioactive or invasive damage to patients. Liquid biopsy as a noninvasive method is convenient for repeated sampling in clinical cancer prognostic, metastatic evaluation, and relapse monitoring. MicroRNAs encased in exosomes circulating in biofluids are promising candidate cancer biomarkers because of their cancer-specific expression profiles. Here, we report an in situ detection of microRNA-1246 (miR-1246) in human plasma exosomes as breast cancer biomarker by a nucleic acid functionalized Au nanoflare probe. Needing neither time-consuming and costly isolation of exosomes from the plasma sample nor transfection means, the Au nanoflare probe can directly enter the plasma exosomes to generate fluorescent signal quantitatively by specifically targeting miR-1246. Only 40 μL of plasma is needed to incubate 4 h with the probe, giving signal sensitive enough to distinguish samples of breast cancer to normal control. Using plasma miR-1246 level detected by our assay as a marker, we differentiated 46 breast cancer patients from 28 healthy controls with 100% sensitivity and 92.9% specificity at the best cutoff. This simple, accurate, sensitive, and cost-effective liquid biopsy by the Au nanoflare probe is potent to be developed as a noninvasive breast cancer diagnostic assay for clinical adaption.

A 2D metal-organic framework (MOF) of {[Cu(Dcbb)(Bpe)]·Cl} n (1, H 2 DcbbBr = 1-(3,5-dicarboxybenzyl)-4,4'-bipyridinium bromide, Bpe = trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene)) has been prepared. MOF 1 associates with the thymine-rich (T-rich), single-stranded probe DNA (ss-DNA, denoted as P-DNA) labeled with fluorophore FAM (FAM = carboxyfluorescein) and quenches the FAM emission to give a nonemissive P-DNA@1 hybrid (off state). The P-DNA in the hybrid subsequently captures the Hg 2+ to give a rigid double-stranded DNA featuring T-Hg 2+ -T motif (ds-DNA@Hg 2+ ) and detach from MOF 1, triggering the recovery of the FAM fluorescence (on state). Upon subsequent addition of I - , Hg 2+ was further sequestrated from the ds-DNA@Hg 2+ duplex, driven by the stronger Hg-I coordination. The released P-DNA is resorbed by MOF 1 to regain the initial P-DNA@1 hybrid (off state). The P-DNA@1 sensor thus detects Hg 2+ and I - sequentially via a fluorescence "off-on-off" mechanism. The sensor is highly selective and sensitive, yielding detection limits of 3.2 and 3.3 nM, respectively. The detection process was conformed by circular dichroism (CD) and the detection mechanism was verified by fluorescence anisotropy, binding constant, and simulation of the binding free energy at each stage.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) inhibitor, SC-560, combined with cisplatin or taxol, on angiogenesis in human ovarian cancer xenografts. Mice were treated with intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of SC-560 6 mg/kg/day, i.p. injections of cisplatin 3 mg/kg every other day and i.p. injections of taxol 20 mg/kg once a week for 21 days. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA levels were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); microvessel density (MVD) was determined by immunohistochemistry; and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels were determined using ELISA. Expression levels of VEGF mRNA and MVD in treatment groups were inhibited significantly when compared with the control group (p < 0.05 for all), and SC-560 combined with cisplatin displayed a greater reduction in the expression of VEGF and MVD than SC-560 or cisplatin alone (p < 0.05). SC-560 combined with taxol showed a greater inhibition on VEGF mRNA expression than SC-560 or taxol alone (p < 0.05). The level of PGE2 in treatment groups was significantly reduced when compared with the control group (p < 0.01 for all). These findings may indicate that cisplatin or taxol supplemented by SC-560 in human ovarian cancer xenografts enhances the inhibition effect of cisplatin or taxol alone on angiogenesis.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of a cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 inhibitor, SC-560, administered in combination with taxol, on the molecular mechanisms of antitumor efficacy in a SKOV-3 human ovarian carcinoma cell xenograft-bearing mouse model. The mice were treated with 6 mg/kg/day SC-560 by gavage twice every other day and 20 mg/kg taxol by intraperitoneal injection once a week for three weeks. Microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA levels of ovarian cancer were detected in the tumor tissues using immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. The index of proliferating and apoptotic cells in the tumor tissues was determined by staining for Ki-67 and using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method, respectively. On day 7 after the end of administration, the tumor volume of mice in the combination group was reduced by 55.35% compared with that of the control mice, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In the combination group, the expression of VEGF, MVD and the cell proliferation index were inhibited significantly, while the apoptotic index was notably increased (all P<0.01, compared with the control group). Our results indicate that the molecular mechanisms of the antitumor efficacy of SC-560 combined with taxol therapy may act in part by inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, reducing cell proliferation and inducing cell apoptosis.

The optical emission spectrometry (OES) of methane ranging from 200 to 900 nm under plasma with different carbon dioxide contents were recorded and marked. Various reactive species in methane plasma such as: CH(n) (n = 3, 2, 1), H, C2, C, C+, CO2+, O, CO+, OH and CHO were detected in situ by OES with different CO2 contents at atmospheric pressure. The relative intensity of reactive species was different with different CO2 contents. The relative intensity of O reactive specie was increased rapidly and C2 reactive specie was reduced gradually with increasing CO2 contents. Reactive O from the dissociation of CO2 had an obvious influence on the methane conversion. The mechanism of methane conversion was changed when CO2 contents increased. The coupling of methane to C2 hydrocarbons was the main reaction when CO2 contents were smaller than 30%, while the reforming of methane played a dominant role when CO2 contents higher than 30%.

The present study was designed to investigate the combined effects of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 selective inhibitors on human ovarian SKOV-3 carcinoma cells xenograft-bearing mice. The animals were treated with 3 mg/kg SC-560 (a COX-1 selective inhibitor) alone, 25 mg/kg celecoxib (a COX-2 selective inhibitor) alone, or SC-560/celecoxib by gavage, twice a day for three weeks. To test the mechanism of inhibition of tumor growth by COX selective inhibitors, the index of proliferating cells in tumor tissues was determined by immunostaining and the index of apoptotic cells by the terminal-deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. The inhibitory rate on tumor growth in the combination group was 35.54% which is significant statistically compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05). In the combination group, the index of cell proliferation and apoptosis were 12.40% and 51.03% respectively, which are significant statistically compared with those of the control group (22.56%, 19.07%, all P < 0.05). These studies indicate that synergism between two COX inhibitors and inhibitor combination treatment has particular potential for chemoprevention of ovarian cancer growth.

The report aims to investigate the relationship between the expression of cyclin D1 and Cyclooxgenase-2 (COX-2), thus to explore the molecular mechanisms of the antitumor efficacy of Celecoxib, a COX-2 inhibitor. Human ovarian SKOV-3 carcinoma cell xenograft-bearing mice were treated with Celecoxib by infusing gaster (i.g.) twice/day for 21 days. The mRNA levels of COX-2 and cyclin D1 were determined by RT-PCR. The expression of cyclin D1 at the protein level was detected by immunohistochemistry, while COX-2 protein expression was determined by Western blot. A high-dose of Celecoxib (100 mg/kg) significantly inhibited tumor growth (P < 0.05), and the expression of cyclin D1 was reduced by 61%. Celecoxib decreased the proliferation cell index by 40% (P < 0.001) and increased apoptotic index by 52% (P < 0.05) in high-dose Celecoxib treated group. Our results suggest that the antitumor efficacy of Celecoxib against ovarian cancer in mice may in part be mediated through suppression of cyclin D1, which may contribute to its ability to suppress proliferation.

Objective: To discuss the unsuccessful reasons and the preventive methods of the unsuccessful clinic cases., Methods: The retrospective analysis was carried on the 80 prosthesis in 70 patients from 1994 to 2001 which were suffered with unsuccessful results after the restoration of the metal crowns and bridges., Results: There were 68 teeth which had collapsed or broken. 20 teeth had the post loosing or shedding. Root breaking, food impaction, unharmony colors of porcelain and the changing color of gingival were 3, 3, 6 and 2 teeth., Conclusion: It is necessary to select suitable repairing materials and operate correctly for preventing the occurring of the unsuccessful results in the porcelain-fused-to-metal-crowns and bridges.