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Toxoplasma gondii infects humans and warm blooded animals causing devastating disease worldwide. It has long been a mystery as to why the peritoneal macrophages of rats are naturally resistant to T. gondii infection while those of mice are not. Here, we report that high expression levels and activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and low levels of arginase-1 (Arg 1) activity in the peritoneal macrophages of rats are responsible for their resistance against T. gondii infection, due to high nitric oxide and low polyamines within these cells. The opposite situation was observed in the peritoneal macrophages of mice. This discovery of the opposing functions of iNOS and Arg 1 in rodent peritoneal macrophages may lead to a better understanding of the resistance mechanisms of mammals, particularly humans and livestock, against T. gondii and other intracellular pathogens.

Background Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) are the leading cause of kidney failure in children with phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity. Our objective was to describe the genetic spectrum and identify the risk factors for kidney failure in children with CAKUT. Methods Clinical and genetic data were derived from a multicentre network [Chinese Children Genetic Kidney Disease Database (CCGKDD)] and the Chigene database. A total of 925 children with CAKUT who underwent genetic testing from 2014 to 2020 across China were studied. Data for a total of 584 children were obtained from the CCGKDD, including longitudinal data regarding kidney function. The risk factors for kidney failure were determined by the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models. Results A genetic diagnosis was established in 96 of 925 (10.3%) children, including 72 (8%) with monogenic variants, 20 (2%) with copy number variants (CNVs) and 4 (0.4%) with major chromosomal anomalies. Patients with skeletal abnormalities were more likely to have large CNVs or abnormal karyotypes than monogenic variants. Eighty-two patients from the CCGKDD progressed to kidney failure at a median age of 13.0 years (95% confidence interval 12.4–13.6) and 24 were genetically diagnosed with variants of PAX2, TNXB, EYA1, HNF1B and GATA3 or the 48,XXYY karyotype. The multivariate analysis indicated that solitary kidney, posterior urethral valves, bilateral hypodysplasia, the presence of certain variants and premature birth were independent prognostic factors. Conclusions The genetic spectrum of CAKUT varies among different subphenotypes. The identified factors indicate areas that require special attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a common congenital anomaly of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) in childhood. The present study identified the possible genetic contributions to primary VUR in children. Methods: Patients with primary VUR were enrolled and analysed based on a national multi-center registration network (Chinese Children Genetic Kidney Disease Database, CCGKDD) that covered 23 different provinces/regions in China from 2014 to 2019. Genetic causes were sought using whole-exome sequencing (WES) or targeted-exome sequencing. Results: A total of 379 unrelated patients (male: female 219:160) with primary VUR were recruited. Sixty-four (16.9%) children had extrarenal manifestations, and 165 (43.5%) patients showed the coexistence of other CAKUT phenotypes. Eighty-eight patient (23.2%) exhibited impaired renal function at their last visit, and 18 of them (20.5%) developed ESRD at the median age of 7.0 (IQR 0.9–11.4) years. A monogenic cause was identified in 28 patients (7.39%). These genes included PAX2 (n = 4), TNXB (n = 3), GATA3 (n = 3), SLIT2 (n = 3), ROBO2 (n = 2), TBX18 (n = 2), and the other 11 genes (one gene for each patient). There was a significant difference in the rate of gene mutations between patients with or without extrarenal complications (14.1% vs. 6%, P = 0.035). The frequency of genetic abnormality was not statistically significant based on the coexistence of another CAKUT (9.6% vs. 5.6%, P = 0.139, Chi-square test) and the grade of reflux (9.4% vs. 6.7%, P = 0.429). Kaplan–Meier survival curve showed that the presence of genetic mutations did affect renal survival (Log-rank test, P = 0.01). PAX2 mutation carriers (HR 5.1, 95% CI 1.3–20.0; P = 0.02) and TNXB mutation carriers (HR 20.3, 95% CI 2.4–168.7; P = 0.01) were associated with increased risk of progression to ESRD. Conclusions: PAX2, TNXB, GATA3 and SLIT2 were the main underlying monogenic causes and accounted for up to 46.4% of monogenic VUR. Extrarenal complications and renal function were significantly related to the findings of genetic factors in children with primary VUR. Like other types of CAKUT, several genes may be responsible for isolated VUR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) plays a crucial role in many physiological processes and is widely used as bleach, deodorant and fungicide. In this work, we designed an amphiphilic hydrazone fluorescent molecule THG‐1 containing hydrophilic sugar units and hydrophobic tetraphenylethylene unit for ratiometric detection of HOCl with high sensitivity and excellent selectivity based on HOCl‐triggered hydrolyzation reaction and aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) effect. The detection mechanism was verified by liquid chromatograph mass spectrometry experiments and scanning electron microscope (SEM) tests. Contrast experiments revealed that the numbers of lactose unit and hydrazone linker were essential for assembly of THG‐1 and detection of HOCl. In addition, THG‐1 was successfully used for imaging of exogenous and endogenous HOCl in living cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship of vertical root fracture (VRF) after root canal treatment with two different technique of root canal shaping and provide clinical reference. METHODS: 1702 teeth treated with root canal treatment during recent 2 years. All teeth were divided into two groups according to different techniques of root canal shaping: 643 teeth were prepared with NiTi rotary preparation technique (NRPT) and 1059 teeth were prepared with stainless steel hand K-files preparation technique (SSI:VF). The clinical symptoms and signs, radiological findings were estimated. The data was analyzed by SPSS 11.5 software package. RESULTS: There were 32 teeth with vertical root fracture, the VRF rate was 1.88%. The VRF rate in NRPT group was significantly higher than in SSPT group (P<0.01). The VRF rate with retreatment history in NRPT group was significantly higher than in SSPT group (P<0.01), but The VRF rate with post and core restoration in both NRPT and SSPT groups was not significantly different (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: NiTi rotary preparation technique (NRPT) was closely related with vertical root fracture (VRF). And the VRF risk would be even higher if the tooth underwent root canal retreatment case or a post-core was placed in the root canal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the effects of root canal preparation treated by endodontists of different levels in different difficulty associated with the root canal anatomy factors. Methods Totally 422 teeth with 901 root canals were randomly selected from the Conservative Dentistry Department, West China Stomatology Hospital, and these teeth were respectively treated by junior specialist postgraduates, senior specialist postgraduates and endodontic specialists. Grading criteria of root canal risk factor and root canal therapy difficulty assessment were found based on 6 items: Tooth type, working length, root curvature, calcification, number of canals, and the previous endodontic treatment. The effects of root canal preparation with different difficulty in different groups were analyzed with RxC Chi-square test. Results Success rates of root canal preparation in junior group and senior group during three difficulty groups were statistically different (P<0.05), and the root canal therapy difficulty group I >group II > group HI. The operator factors in root canal therapy difficulty group I and group II were not significantly different (P>0.05). But in root canal therapy difficulty group DI, the endodontic specialist group have highest success rate in root canal preparation. Conclusion The cases of root canal treatment should be treated by endodontist of corres-ponding level according to the difficulty. In difficult cases, endodontic specialist can provide better root canal prepa-ration result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A convenient and efficient approach was developed to synthesize α-Kdo O -glycosides based on the Tf 2 O/( p -Tol) 2 SO preactivation strategy using peracetylated Kdo thioglycoside as a donor. Under the optimized reaction conditions, several O -glycoside products, including α-(2 → 1)-, α-(2 → 2)-, α-(2 → 3)-, and α-(2 → 6)-Kdo products, were stereoselectively synthesized in high yields. Remarkably, a series of aromatic α-Kdo O -glycosides were first and successfully constructed in high yields. An S N 2-like mechanism was revealed by DFT calculations and experimental results.

Introduction: Immune dysfunction contributes to the progression of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), but the details of the pathogenesis of progression remain unknown. This study of children with INS investigated the relationship of activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway (PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K) with the levels of T helper 2/regulatory T (Th2/Treg) cells., Materials and Methods: Twenty children with active INS (before steroid treatment), 20 children with remitting INS (INS-R, after steroid treatment), and 20 healthy control children (Ctrl) were enrolled. The levels of Th2/Treg cells in their peripheral circulatory systems were measured using flow cytometry, and the concentration of interleukin (IL)-4 was determined using a cytometric bead array (CBA). The levels of PI3K , AKT , mTOR , p70S6K , and transcription factors associated with Th2/Treg cells were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction., Results: The INS group had a greater proportion of circulating Th2 cells; level of IL-4 protein; and levels of GATA , PI3K , AKT , mTOR , and p70S6K mRNAs than the Ctrl group (all P < 0.05), but a lower proportion of circulating Tregs and expression of Foxp3 (both P < 0.05). Patients in the INS-R group had normalization of these markers (all P < 0.05). Patients in the INS group had negative correlation in the percentage of Treg cells with Th2 cells and with IL-4 level and a negative correlation in the levels of GATA3 and Foxp3 mRNAs., Conclusions: Patients with active INS had an imbalance of Th2/Treg cells, which might result from the aberrant signaling of the mTOR pathway (PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K)., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Indian Journal of Nephrology.)

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) plays a crucial role in many physiological processes and is widely used as bleach, deodorant and fungicide. In this work, we designed an amphiphilic hydrazone fluorescent molecule THG-1 containing hydrophilic sugar units and hydrophobic tetraphenylethylene unit for ratiometric detection of HOCl with high sensitivity and excellent selectivity based on HOCl-triggered hydrolyzation reaction and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect. The detection mechanism was verified by liquid chromatograph mass spectrometry experiments and scanning electron microscope (SEM) tests. Contrast experiments revealed that the numbers of lactose unit and hydrazone linker were essential for assembly of THG-1 and detection of HOCl. In addition, THG-1 was successfully used for imaging of exogenous and endogenous HOCl in living cells., (© 2020 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Purpose: To investigate the relationship of vertical root fracture (VRF) after root canal treatment with two different technique of root canal shaping and provide clinical reference., Methods: 1702 teeth treated with root canal treatment during recent 2 years. All teeth were divided into two groups according to different techniques of root canal shaping: 643 teeth were prepared with NiTi rotary preparation technique (NRPT) and 1059 teeth were prepared with stainless steel hand K-files preparation technique(SSPT). The clinical symptoms and signs, radiological findings were estimated. The data was analyzed by SPSS 11.5 software package., Results: There were 32 teeth with vertical root fracture, the VRF rate was 1.88%. The VRF rate in NRPT group was significantly higher than in SSPT group (P<0.01). The VRF rate with retreatment history in NRPT group was significantly higher than in SSPT group (P<0.01), but The VRF rate with post and core restoration in both NRPT and SSPT groups was not significantly different(P>0.05)., Conclusions: NiTi rotary preparation technique (NRPT) was closely related with vertical root fracture (VRF). And the VRF risk would be even higher if the tooth underwent root canal retreatment case or a post-core was placed in the root canal.

Objective: To investigate the effects of root canal preparation treated by endodontists of different levels in different difficulty associated with the root canal anatomy factors., Methods: Totally 422 teeth with 901 root canals were randomly selected from the Conservative Dentistry Department, West China Stomatology Hospital, and these teeth were respectively treated by junior specialist postgraduates, senior specialist postgraduates and endodontic specialists. Grading criteria of root canal risk factor and root canal therapy difficulty assessment were found based on 6 items: Tooth type, working length, root curvature, calcification, number of canals, and the previous endodontic treatment. The effects of root canal preparation with different difficulty in different groups were analyzed with RxC Chi-square test., Results: Success rates of root canal preparation in junior group and senior group during three difficulty groups were statistically different (P < 0.05), and the root canal therapy difficulty group I > group II > group III. The operator factors in root canal therapy difficulty group I and group II were not significantly different P > 0.05). But in root canal therapy difficulty group III, the endodontic specialist group have highest success rate in root canal preparation., Conclusion: The cases of root canal treatment should be treated by endodontist of corresponding level according to the difficulty. In difficult cases, endodontic specialist can provide better root canal preparation result.

Objective: To research the origin of Zibei Xiqi which included in Volume 3 of < Bencao Gangmu Shiyi > (A supplement to the compendium of materia medica)., Method: The origin of Zibei Xiqi was confirmed with textural, botanical characteristics research and drug name, therapeutic effects and so on., Result: The origin of Zibei Xiqi was confirmed., Conclusion: The Zibei Xiqi which is recorded in < Bencao Gangmu Shiyi > should be the immature herbs of Shuang Hudie [Tripterospermum chinense, Gentianaceae], and suggest to correct the original records of the drug name.

To investigate the historical origins of folk herbal medicine 'Xuelihua', the origin of 'Xuelihua' was confirmed by textural, botanical characteristics research, investigation of therapeutic effects and field survey. The 'Xuelihua' which was originally recorded in 'Bencao Gangmu Shiyi' (A Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica) should be 'Riben Shegencao' (Ophirrhiza japonica) of Rubiaceae family.

Purpose: To assess the difficulty of root canal therapy in Chinese permanent maxillary anterior teeth by radiographic methods in vitro., Methods: 80 maxillary anterior teeth including 27 maxillary central incisors, 22 maxillary lateral incisors and 31 maxillary canines were collected and X-rayed in 3 individual directions: labiopalatal projection, mesiodistal projection and the maximal angle shot. Three anatomic risk factors: root curvature, calcification and working length of root canal therapy were assessed by difficulty assessment standards and criterions. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze the data., Results: The results showed that the root canal therapy of 2 and 3 were significantly more difficult than 1, P < 0.05; while there was no significant difference between 2 and 3, P > 0.05. In 1, the results of difficulty assessment of root canal therapy were significantly different among 3 individual X-rays which were projected from 3 different directions (P < 0.05). The difficulty caused by root curvature was significantly greater than calcification and working length in labiopalatal X-ray in 1 (P < 0.05) and 2 (P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference among these 3 risk factors in 3 in labiopalatal projection (P > 0.05)., Conclusions: The results suggest that the labiopalatal X-rays can be safely regarded as the reliable projection shot for difficulty assessment before endodontic procedures. Root curvature was by far the most important risk factor that affected the difficulty of root canal therapy in 1 and 2 while root curvature, calcification and working length played the same roles in root canal therapy of 3.

Objective: To compare the shaping ability of ISO standard stainless steel K files and multi-taper ProTaper nickel-titanium files in simulated resin curved root canals. METHODS Thirty simulated resin root canals were randomly divided into three groups and prepared by stainless steel K files, hand ProTaper, rotary ProTaper, respectively. The amount of material removed from inner and outer wall and canal width after canal preparation was measured, while the canal curvature before and after canal preparation and canals aberrations were recorded., Results: The stainless steel K files removed more material than hand ProTaper and rotary ProTaper at the outer side of apex and inner side of curvature (P < 0.05). The mean degree of straightening in stainless steel K files group was significantly bigger than in ProTaper group (P < 0.05). The canals prepared by ProTaper had no evident aberration., Conclusion: The shaping ability of ProTaper is better than stainless steel K files.

Objective: To investigate the association of root canal therapy difficulty with canal anatomic factors in Chinese mandibular permanent incisors., Methods: Two hundred and ninety nine Chinese permanent incisors were included in this study. The following anatomic items of the root canal were observed: Root canal length, number of root canal, morphology, curvature, and calcification of pulp chamber and root canal. Based on the root canal therapy evaluation criteria, the root canal therapy difficult scores were assessed. The association of root canal therapy difficulty with canal anatomic factors was analyzed with logistic regression analysis., Results: The root canal therapy difficulty grade I, grade II and grade Ill in Chinese mandibular permanent incisors were 29.4%, 20.1% and 50.5%, respectively. The root canal therapy difficulty was significantly associated with the root canal length, number, calcification, and curvature (P < 0.005)., Conclusion: The root canal therapy difficulty in Chinese mandibular permanent incisor is significantly with root canal anatomy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to measure and analyze the anatomic characteristics of the pulp chamber of Chinese permanent anterior teeth radiographically., Methods: There were 137 human permanent anterior teeth to be used. The crown length, crown width and crown thickness were measured by vernier caliper. Labial-lingual and mesial-distal radiographs were obtained by parallel technique and Photoshop 8.0 was adopted for measuring the largest labial-lingual length, the largest mesial-distal length, the pulp chamber height and the distance between the lingual surface of the crown and the corresponding wall of the pulp chamber; the ratios of the largest labial-lingual length to the crown thickness, the largest mesial-distal length to the crown width and the pulp chamber height to the crown length were calculated. Finally the coefficients of variance were caculated., Results: (1) The ratios of the largest mesial-distal length to the crown width of maxillary and mandibular canines were statistically different from those of the other anterior teeth. There was not statistically significant difference for those ratios either between maxillary and mandibular canines or among incisors. (2) Indexes of the pulp chamber had higher variance than those of the external morphology. (3) The distance between the lingual surface of the crown and the corresponding wall of the pulp chamber had the smallest coefficient of variance. (4) The largest mesial-distal length of the pulp chamber had the largest coefficient of variance, except for the mandibular canines., Conclusion: This study provided anatomical basis for clinical work; the distance between the lingual surface of the crown and the corresponding wall of the pulp chamber could be used as a depth reference for the endodontic access, and the access should not be extended excessively in mesial-distal direction.