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Abstract: Phlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Phlebotomidae) are vectors of the zoonotic disease leishmaniasis. To better understand the distribution of phlebotomine sandflies in order to facilitate control of leishmaniasis transmission, the present study explored the impacts of climate and landscape on local abundances of Phlebotomus chinensis in northwestern mainland China. Identification records were used to create a geodatabase for the locations at which P. chinensis had been collected in the region, and a regional‐scale map was developed to show the distribution of P. chinensis. Location data and data on environmental factors during the years in which the samples were collected were incorporated, and a presence‐only modelling method was used to evaluate the species' habitat preferences and to predict its potential distribution in northwestern mainland China. Jackknife analysis revealed that several meteorological variables, including maximum temperature in the warmest quarter, precipitation in the driest month, daily average temperature and daily precipitation, significantly affected the presence of this species. Moreover, the presence of P. chinensis was significantly associated with grassland and shrubland. Probability distributions using maximum entropy were used to map the distribution ranges of P. chinensis based on suitable habitats in northwestern mainland China. The models generated can be used to develop detailed strategies for the prevention and control of leishmaniasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the 137Cs technique has been widely used to estimate soil redistribution in past decades, most 137Cs-conversion models have not been rigorously validated. The objective of this study was to explicitly evaluate the sediment deposition components of three widely used 137Cs models using 34 yr of soil loss data from a plot (200 × 80 m). The average slope of the plot is approximately 4% in the upper section and 1% in the lower section. The primary soil (fine, mixed, thermic, Udertic or Pachic Paleustoll) is silt loam with 23% sand and 56% silt. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was raised primarily under conventional tillage. Sediment load was measured with a pump sampler at the outlet. Bulk soil cores were taken in a 10-m grid to estimate 137Cs inventory. The 137Cs depth profiles were measured at eight locations to determine net deposition depth. The proportional model (PM) and two mass balance models (mass balance model 1 [MBM1] and mass balance model 2 [MBM2]) were evaluated. The measured average deposition depth in the depositional area of the lower section was 5.83 cm, and the predicted deposition depths in the area were 4.12, 2.02, and 1.64 cm for PM, MBM1, and MBM2. The results indicated that the simple PM appeared to predict deposition depths better than the two sophisticated mass balance models under the study conditions. However, the true capability of the two mass balance models needs to be further evaluated under more complex conditions that include the critical period of 137Cs peak fallout in the 1950s and 1960s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultra-long GaN nanowires have been synthesized via a simple thermal evaporation process by heating mixed GaN and GaO powders in a conventional resistance furnace under ammonia gas at 1150 °C. The average length of GaN nanowires is estimated to be more than 100 μm after 30-min growth, corresponding to a fast growth rate of more than 200 μm/h. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation indicated that the diameter of GaN nanowires was rather uniform along the growth direction and in the range of 100-200 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) measurements confirmed that the GaN nanowires are crystalline wurtzite-type hexagonal structure. Room-temperature cathodoluminescence (CL) measurement indicated that an obvious red-shift of the near band-edge emission peak centered at 414 nm of the ultra-long GaN nanowires and a wide shoulder in the range of 600-700 nm were observed. Possible reasons responsible for the red-shift of the near band-edge emission of the ultra-long GaN nanowires was discussed. (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CEOT) is a rare type of odontogenic tumor. The most characteristic feature of the classical CEOT is the presence of amyloid globules and Liesegang ring calcification in the tumor tissue. Here, we present a non-calcifying variant of intraosseous CEOT with the presence of Langerhans cells within tumor epithelial nests in a 52-year-old Taiwanese woman. The patient was referred from a local dentist to our hospital for treatment of a unilocular radiolucent lesion at the right anterior region of the maxilla. The lesion was excised. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of small nests or strands of odontogenic epithelial cells and amorphous eosinophilic globules of amyloid-like materials in a loose fibrous connective tissue stroma. The tumor epithelial cells were positive for pan-cytokeratins (AE1 and AE3). Langerhans cells demonstrated by anti-CD1a staining were found in nests or strands of tumor epithelial cells. The eosinophilic globules were positive for Congo red and showed green birefringence when subjected to polarized light. Review of the English literature revealed two cases of non-calcifying variant of intraosseous CEOT with Langerhans cells in the anterior and premolar regions of the maxilla. Taken together, we suggest that the non-calcifying, Langerhan cell-rich variant of CEOT may have a distinct predilection for occurrence in the anterior and premolar region of the maxilla in contrast to the classical CEOTs that usually occur in the molar and ascending ramus area of the mandible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Bone morphogenic proteins are known, in animal models, to promote many developmental processes, including osteogenesis. Clinical trials are currently underway to evaluate the potential of bone morphogenic proteins to promote bone and periodontal regeneration in humans. The aim of this study was to establish an optimal cell culture condition for using to study the biological effects of recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2 on periodontal ligament cells. Material and Methods: The roles of serum concentration, types of culture medium (α-modified essential medium or Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium), the presence of osteoinductive medium (including dexamethasone, ascorbic acid and β-glycerophosphate), and timing of addition of the osteoinductive medium and recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2, on the expression of alkaline phosphatase were investigated in cultured periodontal ligament cells. Cytochemical stainings and biological assay of alkaline phosphatase were also demonstrated. Results: Our results suggested that an increased concentration of serum might mask the effect of recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2 on the expression of alkaline phosphatase in periodontal ligament cells. α-Modified essential medium was found to induce a stronger cytochemical staining of the alkaline phosphatase than Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium under similar culture conditions. Pre-incubation of cells with osteoinductive medium before the addition of various concentrations of recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2 enhanced greater alkaline phosphatase expression than the simultaneous presence of both osteoinductive medium and recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the effect of recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2 on periodontal ligament cells could be efficiently investigated after the proper selection of culture variables and temporal sequence of adding bioactive factors. The optimal culture condition identified in this study might be useful in further studies to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of periodontal ligament cells in periodontal regeneration after stimulation with recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous study has shown a high incidence of autoantibodies including antinuclear (ANA), antismooth muscle (SMA), antigastric parietal cell (GPCA), antithyroid microsomal (TMA), and antireticulin antibodies in a small group of 26 patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). The reasons why some of the OSF patients have high titers of autoantibodies in serum have not been completely explained and no further study on autoantibodies in OSF patients has been done in a large group of patients.Methods: In this study, we determined the serum levels of ANA, SMA, GPCA, and TMA in a large group of 109 male Taiwanese patients with OSF by an indirect immunofluorescence technique (for ANA, SMA, and GPCA), and by a semiquantitative microtiter particle agglutination test (for TMA). The presence of serum autoantibodies in OSF patients was further correlated with patients' oral habits and the severity of OSF measured by maximum mouth opening (MMO) and sites of involvement.Results: We found that the frequencies of presence of serum ANA (23.9%), SMA (23.9%), and GPCA (14.7%) in OSF patients were significantly higher than those (9.2, 7.3, and 5.5%, respectively) in healthy control subjects (P < 0.01, P < 0.005, and P < 0.05, respectively). Although the frequency of presence of TMA (5.5%) in OSF patients was also greater than that (2.8%) in healthy control subjects, the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). The presence of serum GPCA in OSF patients was significantly associated with daily areca quid (AQ) consumption (P < 0.05). The presence of serum ANA in OSF patients associated with daily AQ consumption was of borderline statistical significance (P = 0.066). However, no significant correlations were demonstrated between the presence of serum autoantibodies in OSF patients and other variables of oral habits, MMO, and sites of involvement.Conclusion: In this study, all the 109 OSF patients had AQ chewing habit and 73.4% of the OSF patients swallowed the 'juice' of AQ during the chewing process. The presence of serum GPCA and ANA in OSF patients was associated with daily consumption of AQs. AQ chewing caused mucosal microtrauma, and ulcerations facilitated the diffusion of genotoxic and cytotoxic AQ ingredients into the oral and gastric tissues. Altered autoantigens released from AQ ingredients-damaged cells may induce autoantibody production. Higher frequencies of specific HLA-DR antigens in OSF patients may also help autoantibody production. Therefore, we conclude that the high incidence of autoantibodies in OSF patients may be due to AQ chewing habit, toxic AQ ingredients, and genetic susceptibility of the OSF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have shown that the local and systemic upregulation of fibrogenic cytokines and downregulation of antifibrotic cytokine are central to the pathogenesis of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). The milk from cows immunized with human intestinal bacteria (immune milk) contains an anti-inflammatory component that may suppress the inflammatory reaction and modulate cytokine production. Therefore, it was decided to test whether immune milk may have some beneficial effects on controlling the symptoms and signs in OSF patients.Methods: In this preliminary study, 26 OSF patients who received immune milk treatment (45 g of immune milk powder twice a day) for 3 months and oral habit intervention were included in the experimental group. Another 20 OSF patients who received only oral habit intervention served as the control group.Results: We found that the interincisor distance was significantly improved (> or =3 mm of the baseline measurement) in 18 of the 26 (69.2%) OSF patients in the experimental group at exit. However, in the control group none of the OSF patients had an increase in interincisor distance greater than 2 mm. In addition, disappearance or significant improvement of symptoms at exit was observed in 80% (16/20) of the patients with intolerance to spicy foods (P < 0.001) and 72.2% (13/18) of the patients with xerostomia (P < 0.005) in the experimental group, compared with 17.6% (3/17) of the patients with improvement of intolerance to spicy foods and 15.4% (2/13) of the patients with improvement of xerostomia in the control group. Partial regression of concomitant oral leukoplakia or erythroplakia (judged from the size reduction of the lesions) at exit was noted in 71.4% (5/7) of the patients in the experimental group (P < 0.05), compared with none (0/5) of the patients with improvement in the control group.Conclusion: We conclude that oral administration of immune milk leads to significant improvements of symptoms and signs in OSF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenotype and haplotype frequencies of human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-DR and -DQ in 32 Chinese patients with the mucocutaneous (MC) type of Behçets disease (BD) were calculated and compared with those in 310 healthy control Chinese and with those in 80 Chinese patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). We found that the phenotype frequency of HLA-DRw8 [corrected P (Pc)<0.005] and the haplotype frequencies of HLA-DRw8/DQw1 (Pc<0.005), -DRw8/DQw5(w1) (Pc<0.0005), -DRw12(5)/DQw1 (Pc<0.005), -DRw12(5)/DQw6(w1) (Pc 0.0005), and -DRw52/DQw1 (Pc<0.005) in patients with the MC type of BD were significantly greater than those in healthy control subjects. This finding suggests that individual Chinese with HLADRwB antigen and HLA-DRw8/DQw1, -DRw8/DQw5(w1), -DRw12(5)/DQw1, -DRw12(5)/DQw6(w1) and -DRw52/DQw1 haplotypes are more likely to have the MC type of BD. Furthermore, the relative risks (RRs) of HLA-DRw8/DQw1 (5.6), -DRw8/ DQw5 (w1) (10.0). and -DRw12(5)/DQw6(w1) (14.4) haplotypes in patients with the MC type of BD were equal to or higher than the RR of HLA-DRw8 phenotype (5.6), suggesting that some of the HLA-DR/DQ haplotypes may play more important roles than the individual HLA-DR and DQ phenotypes for the development of the MC type of BD. The phenotype frequencies of HLA-DR5 (Pc<0.01), -DRw8 (Pc<0.005) and -DQw1 (Pc<0.05) as well as the haplotype frequencies of HLA-DR5/DQw1 (Pc<0.005) and DRw8/DQw1 (Pc<0.00005) in patients with the MC type of BD were significantly higher than those in patients with RAS. Moresover, the RRs of HLA-DR5/DQw1 (29.1) and -DRw8/DQw1 (47.4) haplotypes were greater than the RRs of HLA-DR5 (10.4), -DRw8 (23.4) and -DQw1 (4.0) antigens. These results suggest that some specific HLA-DR/DQ haplotypes may be more important than the individual HLA-DR and -DQ phenotypes in the disease shift from RAS to the MC type of BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expression of p53 protein was examined in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) from patients who were areca quid (AQ) chewers and/or tobacco smokers, using anti-p53 antibodies with an immunoperoxidase technique. Positive p53 stain was observed in 47 of 81 (58%) cases of oral SCC, p53 overexpression was found to be higher in patients without AQ chewing and smoking habits than in patients with these two habits (80% vs 52%, P = 0.076). No significant correlation was found between p53 expression and the patients age, sex, cancer location, clinical staging, primary tumor TNM status, or histological differentiation of SCC. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the prognosis for patients the p53-negative tumors was significantly better than that for patients with p53-positive tumors (P < 0.05). A significant correlation was also observed between positive lymph node status and poor prognosis (P < 0.05). These results suggest that p53 may serve as an adjuvant marker of poor survival in patients with oral SCCs in Taiwan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT: The SCS curve number method is an accepted method for estimating surface water runoff caused by rainfall. Several modern process-based hydrologic models, including the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model, use the Green-Ampt infiltration equation, but the basis for selecting model parameters is not as comprehensive as for curve number selection. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively relate curve numbers to Green-Ampt effective conductivity parameters, K [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT: Since the trend in infiltration modeling is currently toward process-based approaches such as the Green-Ampt equation, more emphasis is being placed on methods of determining appropriate parameters for this approach. The SCS curve number method is an accepted and commonly used empirical approach for estimating surface runoff, and is based on numerous data from a variety of sources. The time and expense of calibrating process-based infiltration parameters to measured data are often prohibitive. This study uses curve number predictions of runoff to develop equations to estimate the 'baseline' hydraulic conductivities (K [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents on statistics of children with cancer on a specified age bracket and their visioned futures and dreams. Need for nurses to understand the hopes and dreams of children with cancer; Thrapeutic nursing process of nurses for cancer patients particularly in children; Procedures involved in coming up with the needed information from cancer patients.

In this study we used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), slot blot and Southern blot hybridization, direct sequencing and in situ hybridization (ISH) to show the possible presence of EBV-DNA in pre-ulcerative oral aphthous lesions of patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) or Behçet's disease (BD). For this purpose, formalin-fixed biopsy specimens were obtained from 13 pre-ulcerative oral aphthous lesions of nine RAU and four BD patients. Five specimens of normal oral mucosa (NOM ) from five normal control subjects and 10 specimens of oral erosive or ulcerative lesions from 10 patients with erosive lichen planus (ELP) were also included. EBV-DNA was detected by PCR in 5 of the 13 (38.5%) pre-ulcerative oral aphthous lesions, two from RAU patients and three from RAU patients. However, no EBV-DNA was demonstrated in live NOM specimens from normal control subjects and in 10 specimens of oral lesions from ELP patients. EBV-DNA was also demonstrated in patients' peripheral blood lymphocytes and or plasma, suggesting that the lymphocytes may be the reservoir of latent EBV infection and there is EBV shedding in the plasma. EBV-DNA was detected by ISH in only one PCR-positive case: the reaction product was found to deposit on the nuclei of some of the epithelial cells and lymphocytes. By immunohistochemistry, expression of Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen and EBV/C3d receptors was also noted in some of the epithelial cells and lymphocytes in this ISH-positive case. Therefore, we suggest that the epithelial cells of pre-ulcerative oral aphthous lesions may be infected by EBV through EBV-infected lymphocytes; also, the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-induced lysis of the EBV-infected epithelial cells, but not the virus-induced cytolysis, may be the main mechanism causing oral ulcer formation. Our data provide preliminary evidence for an association of EBV with pre-ulcerative oral aphthous lesions in RAU and BD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a preliminary study on anti-human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) antibody (Ab) by ELISA, the serum anti-HCMV/IgG Ab concentrations in 22 patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) in the remission stage were found to be significantly higher than in 22 control subjects (121 +/- 42 vs 100 +/- 27, P < 0.05) and in 39 patients with RAU in the active stage (121 +/- 42 vs 88 +/- 45, P < 0.01). Therefore, the potential of HCMV as an etiologic agent in RAU was proposed and studies using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH) have been performed to investigate the possible presence of HCMV DNA in pre-ulcerative oral aphthous lesions in patients with RAU or Behçet's disease (BD) of the mucocutaneous type. For this purpose, formalin-fixed biopsy specimens were obtained from 13 pre-ulcerative oral aphthous lesions, 2 samples of normal oral mucosa and 1 ileal mucosal lesion from 9 RAU patients and 4 BD patients. Five specimens of normal oral mucosa from 5 normal control subjects and 12 specimens of oral erosive or ulcerative lesions from 12 patients with erosive lichen planus (ELP) were also included. By PCR, HCMV DNA was detected in 5 of the 13 (38.5%) pre-ulcerative oral aphthous lesions, 3 from RAU patients and 2 from BD patients. The ileal mucosa specimen was also HCMV DNA-positive, whereas HCMV DNA was not demonstrated in any of the 7 specimens of normal oral mucosa from RAU patients and normal control subjects; 12 specimens of oral lesions from ELP patients were similarly negative. ISH did not detect HCMV DNA in any of the biopsy specimens from RAU patients and control subjects. Our findings suggest that HCMV may be an etiologic agent in some cases of RAU and BD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five cases of oral malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) in patients who had previously received radiotherapy in the head or neck region were included in this study. There were 3 men and 2 women. Four patients had been irradiated for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and the other for a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) involving the tongue and mouth floor. The MFH developed 2.5-11 years after the initial radiotherapy. Two cases of MFH occurred in the maxilla, two in the mandible, and the remaining one in the tongue, floor of mouth and mandible. Clinically, the oral post-radiation MFH presented as tender, reddish, elastic, lobulated masses with surface ulceration. Radiographic examination of the involved jaws revealed a poorly defined radiolucent lesion without any periosteal or endosteal reaction. The prognosis of these tumors was very poor. Although aggressive multimodality treatment had been applied, 3 of 5 patients eventually died of the disease, with a mean survival time of 17 months after establishing the diagnosis of MFH. In order to ensure the early diagnosis and treatment of this radiation-induced second malignancy, close oral follow-up is mandatory for patients who have received radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of levamisole on the immune system of patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) or oral lichen planus (OLP) in an open trial. Lymphocyte subsets, serum immunoglobulins, and circulating immune complexes (CIC) in patients with RAU or OLP and in normal control subjects were determined by an indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) technique with monoclonal anti-lymphocyte antibodies, by single radial immunodiffusion, and by precipitation with 3% polyethylene glycol, respectively. In additiona, the anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-basal cell antibodies (anti-BCA) in sera were detected by an IIF technique. We found a significant improvement in clinical symptoms and normalization of the decreased CD4/CD8 ratio in RAU patients after levamisole treatment. Moreover, the decreased CD4/CD8 ratio, which persisted until the remission stage in the untreated RAU patients, reverted to normal in the active late stage in the levamisole-treated patients. This reversion of aberrant cellular immunity in an earlier stage of the ulcer cycle may explain why RAU patients experience symptom improvement after levamisole treatment. Although RAU patients experience symptom improvement after levamisole treatment. Although RAU patients treated with levamisole for 1 to 3 or 4 months still had higher than normal levels of CIC and serum immunoglobulins, the levels of their IgA and IgM returned to normal values after 4 months of levamisole treatment. The serum ANA detected in 6 patients with RAU and 3 patients with erosive OLP disappeared after 1-22 months of levamisole treatment. The disappearance of serum anti-BCA was also observed in 50% of the anti-BCA-positive patients with erosive OLP after 3-13 months of levamisole treatment. These findings suggest that levamisole has modulating effects on both cell-mediated and humoral immunity in patients with RAU or OLP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One hundred and seventy-two strains of Escherichia coli isolated from diarrheal patients in Beijing, P.R. China, were analyzed for plasmid DNA profile, HEp-2 cell adherence ability and reactivity to 10 previously described DNA probes. They had not been recognized as pathogenic E. coli in China. Of the 110 strains tested, 76 (69%) contained one or multiple large plasmids. Of the 71 strains with the large plasmids 64 could adhere to HEp-2 cells. Of the 172 strains, 102 (59.3%) were hybridized with at least one of the 10 probes. Of those, seven strains hybridized with enteroaggregative E. coli (EAggEC) probe. Their serotypes were O128 (two strains), O6 (one strain), and O111 (one strain). Three strains were untypable. Six and three strains were hybridized with enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) attaching and effacing genes (eae) or EPEC adherence factor (EAF) probe, respectively. Two non-O157: H7 strains hybridized with enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) probe. Seventy-two strains (41.9%) hybridized with shiga-like toxin 2 or 1 (SLT2 or SLT1) probes. Among the SLT1 or SLT2 probe-positive strains, 54 hybridized with invasive (INV) plasmid probe developed for identification of enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) and Shigella species. The INV and SLT probe-positive strains might represent a new variety of verotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC).

By subcutaneous inoculation of 10(8) CFU of enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7, specific-pathogen-free mice revealed most of the symptoms and histological changes observed in patients. The histological changes in intestine were mainly seen in the distal parts of small intestine and the cecum. Vacuolation of villi in the cecum was also observed. The histological changes in the kidneys of the infected mice were featured as the swollen epithelial cells of glomeruli and the marked thickening of glomerular capillaries with barely visible lumens. Unexpected findings in the bronchiole were characterized by sloughing of the epithelial cells of bronchiolar wall, leading to partial or complete obstruction of the lumens. Histological changes in the spleen, liver and lymphnodes were also observed. The bacteria were recovered from the feces, contents of small intestine, and samples taken from kidney, liver, heart, spleen, different parts of small intestine, cecum, and colon. By using peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) assay with polyclonal antibodies against "O" antigen of E. coli O157:H7, it was observed that the samples taken from the brain, kidney, ileum, cecum, spleen, and liver gave positive reactions. Feces and contents of small intestine obtained from all of the infected animals were positive by occult blood test. These results show that the experimental infection of E. coli O157:H7 in this model is systemic in nature.