Search

X-ray micro-computed tomography (CT) is an important tool for high-resolution three-dimensional imaging. But one limitation of micro-CT is the compromise between resolution and fields of view (FOV). In this paper, we develop an x-rays dual-FOV optical coupling detection (DFOCD) system for global imaging with high-resolution region of interest (ROI). In DFOCD system, the beam splitter separates lights to form two sub-optical paths, two objectives with different FOV and magnification are used in the two sub-optical paths for dual-FOV imaging. Then a data fusion method is proposed to register and fuse dual-FOV data. Reconstructed images are obtained based on back projection filtering algorithm using fusion data. Dual-FOV data are collected simultaneously in DFOCD system, which precludes artifacts in fusion images from phantom movement or changes in two acquisitions on common micro-CT, and also saves scanning time. Simulation and experimental results show that details in ROI and global morphology of phantoms are correctly reconstructed. Bright ring artifacts of ROI caused by truncated data are corrected in reconstruction images. Therefore, global imaging with high-resolution ROI of samples can be obtained by single scan experiment using DFOCD system and data fusion method, which is expected to expand the application of micro-CT.

Introduction: Tinnitus can become a strong stressor for some individuals, leading to imbalance of the autonomous nervous system with reduction of parasympathetic activity. It can manifest itself as sleep disturbances, anxiety and even depression. This condition can be reversed by bioelectrical vagal nerve stimulation (VNS). Conventional invasive VNS is an approved treatment for epilepsy and depression. Transcutaneous VNS (taVNS) stimulating the auricular branch of the vagus nerve has been shown to activate the vagal pathways similarly as an implanted VNS. Therefore, taVNS might also be a therapeutic alternative in health conditions such as tinnitus-related mental stress (TRMS). This retrospective study in 171 TRMS patients reports the clinical features, psychophysiological characteristics, and results of the heart rate variability (HRV) tests before and after test-taVNS. This study also reports the therapy outcomes of 113 TRMS patients treated with taVNS, in combination with standard tinnitus therapy., Methods: Diagnostic tinnitus and hearing profiles were defined. To detect possible cardiac adverse effects, test-taVNS with heart rate monitoring as well as pre- and post-stimulation HRV tests were performed. Daily taVNS home therapy was prescribed thereafter. To assess therapeutic usefulness of taVNS, 1-year follow-up outcome was studied. Results of HRV tests were retrospectively analyzed and correlated to diagnostic data., Results: The large majority of patients with TRMS suffer from associated symptoms such as sleep disturbances and anxiety. Baseline HRV data showed that more than three quarters of the 171 patients had increased sympathetic activity before test-taVNS. Test-taVNS shifted mean values of different HRV parameters toward increased parasympathetic activity in about 80% of patients. Test-taVNS did not cause any cardiac or other side effects. No significant adverse effects were reported in follow-up questionnaires., Conclusion: TRMS is an example of a stress condition in which patients may benefit from taVNS. As revealed by HRV, test-taVNS improved parasympathetic function, most efficiently in patients with a low starting HRV level. Our tinnitus treatment program, including taVNS, effectively alleviated tinnitus stress and handicap. For wider clinical use, there is a great need for more knowledge about the optimal methodology and parameters of taVNS., (Copyright © 2020 Ylikoski, Markkanen, Pirvola, Lehtimäki, Ylikoski, Jing, Sinkkonen and Mäkitie.)

Management of oral diseases during pregnancy prefers to be a comprehensive oral health care strategy throughout pre-pregnant, pregnant and prenatal stages. It provides guidance not only to promote the overall health in pregnant women, but also concern fetus development and children's oral health. Pregnancy is a time of particular vulnerability in terms of oral health due to complex physical and physiological changes. Physicians and dentists are responsible for providing professional medical care and treatment following clinical guidelines especially for pregnancy. It is also an opportune time in pregnancy to educate women about oral health care and preventing oral problems in young children. This article reviews the commonly occurring oral problems and their pathogenesis during pregnancy, dental procedures that can be carried out by physicians and preventive strategies that could be helpful in promoting oral health in both pregnant women and young children.

Aim: To assess the effects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) on the expression of host α-1,2-mannosidases and determine the underlying mechanisms., Methods: We measured the expression levels of MAN1A1, MAN1A2, MAN1B1, and MAN1C1 in cell lines HepG2.2.15, HepN10, HepAD38 and HepG2 by Western blot. Viral antigens (HBsAg and HBeAg) in the culture medium were measured using the chemiluminescence method. HBV DNA quantification assays were performed using a commercial real-time PCR kit. Protein levels of human liver tissue α-1,2-mannosidases were also evaluated by Western blot. Plasmids containing seven individual viral genes of HBV (PTT22-HBx, PTT22-HBs, PTT22-preS2, PTT22-preS1, PTT22-HBc, PTT22-HBe, and PTT22-HBp) or control plasmids (PTT22-vector) were transfected into HepG2 cells. MK886 (PPARα) and GW9662 (PPARγ) inhibitors were used to explore the effects of HBV on α-1,2-mannosidase expression after the PPARα and PPARγ pathways were blocked., Results: We showed that the expression of α-1,2-mannosidases was higher in stably transfected HBV cells than in controls. The expression levels of α-1,2-mannosidase were higher in AD38 cells than those in ND10 cells, which were in turn greater than those in G2.2.15 cells, and positively correlated with the expression of HBsAg in all the cell lines. Levels of α-1,2-mannosidase in non-tumorous liver tissues of HBV-related HCC patients were also higher than in the tissues from non-HBV-related HCC patients. Moreover, transfecting HepG2 cells with a component of the HBV viral envelope also increased the expression of α-1,2-mannosidases. However, this envelope protein component could not induce MAN1C1 expression in the presence of a PPARα inhibitor, MK886. We also found that MK886 did not affect the expression of MAN1C1 in AD38 cells without tetracycline in the culture medium. This phenomenon was not observed in the case of GW9662., Conclusion: Our results indicate that HBV increases the expression of α-mannosidases both in vitro and in vivo via activation of the PPARα pathway by its envelope protein., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the prevalence and distribution of teeth number and morphology abnormalities in Chinese pediatric patients' permanent teeth at the mixed dentition stage by performing panoramic radiographs analysis., Methods: A total of 4 347 panoramic radiographs of pediatric patients aged 5 years to 15 years who were admitted to the hospitals from September 2011 to September 2013 were reviewed. The presence of teeth number and morphology abnormalities were recorded as follows: congenitally absent teeth, supernumerary teeth, odontoma, microdontia, fused teeth, dilaceations, and cusp deformity. SPSS 16.0 software was used for statistical analysis., Results: The prevalence of teeth number and morphology abnormalities in pediatric patients' permanent teeth was 31.79% (1,382/4,347). The prevalence was higher in males. Significant difference between the genders was observed (P < 0.05). Tooth agenesis, the most frequent dental anomaly (15.00%, 652/4,347), was considerably common in females; supernumerary teeth (12.61%, 548/4,347) followed, which was significantly common in males. Both differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The levels of prevalence of both microdontia and dilacerations were 4.00% (174/4,347) and 2.16% (94/4,347). The prevalence of cusp deformity, odontoma, and fused teeth were relatively low at 0.74% (32/4,347), 0.51% (22/4,347), and 0.39% (17/4,347), respectively., Conclusion: The prevalence of teeth number and morphology abnormalities in children's permanent teeth at the mixed dentition stage is apparently high. Tooth agenesis and supernumerary teeth are the most frequent. Panoramic radiograph is an efficient method for the early diagnosis of teeth number and morphology abnormalities. This method can assist pediatric dentists to formulate treatment plans for children at the appropriate time.

Aim: To investigate whether Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter (NKCC2) is expressed in the mouse distal colonic epithelia and whether it is regulated by vasopressin in the colon., Methods: The mRNA expression of NKCC2 in the mouse colonic mucosa was examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. NKCC trafficking in the colon stimulated by 1-D-amino(8-D-arginine)-vasopressin (dDAVP) infusion (10 ng/mouse, intraperitoneal injection ) within 15 min, 30 min and 1h was investigated by laser confocal scanning microscopy. Total and membrane NKCC2 expression in the colonic mucosa from control and dDAVP-treated mice was detected by Western blotting. Short circuit current method was performed to determine regulation of NKCC2 by vasopressin in the colon., Results: NKCC2 was predominantly located in the apical region of the surface of the distal colonic epithelia; by comparison, a large amount of NKCC1 was distributed in the basolateral membrane of the lower crypt epithelia of the mouse distal colon. Short-term treatment with dDAVP, a V2-type receptor-specific vasopressin analog, induced NKCC2 re-distribution, i.e., NKCC2 traffics to the apical membrane after dDAVP stimulation. In contrast, no obvious NKCC1 membrane translocation was observed. Western blotting results confirmed that membrane NKCC2 had significantly higher abundance in the dDAVP-treated mouse colonic mucosa relative to that in the untreated control, which is consistent with our immunostaining data. Moreover, the short-circuit current method combined with a NKCC2 inhibitor demonstrated that NKCC2 was also activated by serosal vasopressin in isolated distal colonic mucosa., Conclusion: Our results provide direct evidence that vasopressin also plays an important role in the colonic epithelia by stimulating NKCC2 trafficking to the apical membrane and inducing NKCC2-mediated ion transport.

In the title compound, C(17)H(21)N(3)O(4)S(2), an intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond involving the proximate amine and nitro groups is observed. In the crystal, inter-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving the amine and SO(2) groups occur. One of the notro O atoms is disordered over two conformations with occupancies of 0.578 (12) and 0.422 (12).

Aim: To study the characteristics of upper digestive tract diseases (UDTDs) in fishermen who live in Bohai Bay., Methods: An investigation was carried out in 1488 fishermen with symptoms of UDTDs (aside from liver, biliary and pancreatic diseases) during the time period between December 1991 and February 1995. This investigation included medical history evaluations, physical, gastroscopic and pathological examinations, tests for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, and analysis of the nitrate content in their drinking water., Results: Among the 1488 subjects investigated, 1467 suffered from one or more of the 14 UDTD diseases, most of which were chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG, 1103 cases), peptic ulcers (268 cases), and cancer of the upper digestive tract (25 cases)., Conclusion: The incidence rate of UDTDs tends to be high among fishermen due to their particular living habits, the high nitrate content of their drinking water, etc. In addition, the clinical manifestations of UDTDs in fishermen are significantly different from those of the inland residents.