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Min-Dong Du,1,2,* Kai-Yi He,3,* Si-Qi Fan,3 Jin-Yi Li,3 Jin-Fu Liu,3 Zi-Qiang Lei,3 Gang Qin3 1Department of Osteoarthrosis, Xing-An Jieshou Orthopedics Hospital, Guilin, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Orthopaedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Osteoarthrosis, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medical University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Gang Qin, Department of Osteoarthrosis, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Traditional Chinese Medical University, 89-9 Dongge Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530023, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-771-5361264, Email qqvvcbgq6016@163.comBackground: Cyperus rotundus (CR) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to prevent and treat a variety of diseases. However, its functions and mechanism of action in osteoarthritis (OA) has not been elucidated. Here, a comprehensive strategy combining network pharmacology, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation and in vitro experiments was used to address this issue.Methods: The bioactive ingredients of CR were screened in TCMSP database, and the potential targets of these ingredients were obtained through Swiss Target Prediction database. Genes in OA pathogenesis were collected through GeneCards, OMIM and DisGeNET databases. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed using DAVID database. STRING database and Cytoscape 3.10 software were used to construct “component-target-pathway” network, and predict the core targets affected by CR. The binding affinity between bioactive components and the core targets was evaluated by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. The therapeutic activity of kaempferol on chondrocytes in inflammatory conditions was verified by in vitro experiments.Results: Fifteen CR bioactive ingredients were obtained, targeting 192 OA-related genes. A series of biological processes, cell components, molecular functions and pathways were predicted to be modulated by CR components. The core targets of CR in OA treatment were AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (AKT1), interleukin 1 beta (IL1B), SRC proto-oncogene, non-receptor tyrosine kinase (SRC), BCL2 apoptosis regulator (BCL2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF1A), matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP9), estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and PPARG orthologs from vertebrates (PPARG), and the main bioactive ingredients of CR showed good binding affinity with these targets. In addition, kaempferol, one of the CR bioactive components, weakens the effects of IL-1β on the viability, apoptosis and inflammation of chondrocytes.Conclusion: Theoretically, CR has great potential to ameliorate the symptoms and progression of OA, via multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple downstream pathways. Keywords: osteoarthritis, Cyperus rotundus, network pharmacology, molecular docking

Yong-Yao Wu,1,&ast; Jun-Yuan Li,1,&ast; Qiao-Jing Xia,1 Yi-Yi Gao,1 Chao Zhang,1 Peng-Jie Xu,1 Jiang Liu,1 Hao-Jie Zhang,1 Ri-Zhen Yu2 1Department of Nephrology, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, 315099, People’s Republic of China; 2Urology & Nephrology Center, Department of Nephrology, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310014, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Hao-Jie Zhang, Department of Nephrology, Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, No. 1111 Jiangnan Road, Yinzhou District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, 315099, People’s Republic of China, Email zhang_haojie843@outlook.com Ri-Zhen Yu, Urology & Nephrology Center, Department of Nephrology, Affiliated People’s Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, No. 158 Shangtang Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 571-85893889, Fax +86 571-85131448, Email rizhen_3180yu83@126.comObjective: Sarcopenia is more common in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, and the aim of this study is to analyze the risk factors associated with sarcopenia in MHD patients, along with its correlation to emotional status and quality of life.Methods: This is a cross-sectional cohort study. A total of 111 MHD patients who were treated in the Department of Nephrology of our hospital were selected as the study subjects by convenience sampling. The quality of life and emotional status were evaluated by health survey scale (SF-36), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS). Regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of sarcopenia. Correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between sarcopenia and quality of life and emotional status.Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia was 59.8%. The results showed that age, gender, body mass index (BMI), dialysis time, economic status, marital status and pre-dialysis creatinine were significant factors affecting the development of sarcopenia in hemodialysis patients (p< 0.05). The SF-36 total score was significantly lower in the sarcopenia group (72.05± 12.28 vs 78.03± 10.55) than in the non-sarcopenia group, but the anxiety scale score (52.97± 4.67 vs 36.2± 3.36) and depression scale score (57.67± 4.58 vs 38.71± 3.77) were significantly higher than those in the non-sarcopenia group (p< 0.001). Correlation analysis showed that sarcopenia was positively correlated with SAS and SDS scores and negatively correlated with SF-36 total score (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The risk of sarcopenia was higher among MHD patients who were older, male, single, with a longer MHD duration, lower economic status, lower BMI, comorbid diabetes and lower levels of creatinine.Keywords: maintenance hemodialysis, sarcopenia, quality of life, risk factors, cross-sectional studies

Zi-Hao Li,1,&ast; Jia-Yi Li,2,&ast; Yong-Jie Zhu,1,3,&ast; Lei Dai,3,&ast; Zuo-Tao Wu,3 Ju-Sen Nong,4 Ting Zhuo,5 Fu-Li Li,1 Ling-Yun He,1 Hong-Hua Liang,1 Feng-Ling Zang,1 Yong-Yong Wang,3 Ming-Wu Chen,3 Wei-Jia Huang,1 Jian-Bin Cao1 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Liuzhou People’s Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Nephrology, Liuzhou People’s Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Pediatric Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Wei-Jia Huang; Jian-Bin Cao, Email huangbolin62@126.com; 18907722555@163.comBackground: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has high morbidity and mortality. Current studies indicate nucleoporin 107 (NUP107) is involved in the construction of nuclear pore complex, and NUP107 overexpression contributes to the growth and development in most types of cancers, but its effect in LUAD has not been elucidated.Methods: Differences in NUP107 expression were investigated using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and multiple Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data sets. Enrichment analysis were implemented to probe the NUP107 function. The association of NUP107 with the degree of immune cell infiltration was investigated by the TIMER database, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), and ESTIMATE. The association of NUP107 expression with tumor mutation burden (TMB), TP53, and immune checkpoint was analyzed. Single-cell RNA sequencing data were used to detect NUP107 expression in different cell clusters. Finally, we performed real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to prove the difference of NUP107 expression.Results: NUP107 was overexpressed in LUAD and mainly expressed in cancer stem cell (CSC). Overexpression of NUP107 in LUAD suggested a poorer prognosis. Functional enrichment analysis pointed out that NUP107 was mainly linked to the regulation of cell cycle. Both immune cell infiltration and TMB were found to be in connection with NUP107. Cases in the group with high NUP107 expression had poorer immune infiltration, but had higher expression of immune checkpoints, TMB, and proportion of TP53 mutations.Conclusion: NUP107 is a sensitive diagnostic and prognostic factor for LUAD and may be involved in tumor progression through its effects on cell cycle and immune infiltration.Keywords: lung adenocarcinoma, nucleoporin 107, immune infiltration, tumor mutation burden, TP53, immune checkpoint

Yan-Hua Luo,1 Li Xie,2 Jiao-Yang Li,3 Yuan Xie,4 Man-Qin Li,1 Li Zhou1 1Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People’s Republic of China; 2Pediatric Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Li Zhou, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 18573477875, Email zl_zhou2016@163.comPurpose: The increasing prevalence of obesity in children and its associated risk with cardiovascular diseases demand more discovery of the novel biomarkers for developing new treatment options for this complex disease. This study aimed to investigate the association of serum MOTS-C (a peptide encoded in the mitochondrial genome) levels and vascular endothelial function in obese children.Patients and Methods: A total of 225 obese children (aged 8.1 ± 2.6 years) and 218 healthy children (aged 7.9 ± 2.2 years) were enrolled. Related anthropometric assessment and biochemical evaluation were done in all subjects. Reactive hyperemia index (RHI), as assessed by the peripheral arterial tonometry, was used for evaluation of peripheral endothelial function. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the level of serum MOTS-C.Results: Levels of serum MOTS-C and RHI were lower in the obese children compared with the healthy children (P < 0.01). The RHI level was independently associated with body mass index, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and MOTS-C in linear regression analysis. Further analysis showed a significant mediating effect of MOTS-C on the correlation between body mass index and RHI in children, with the ratio of mediating effect value of 9.12%.Conclusion: These data identify that MOTS-C is a previously unknown regulator in the development process of obesity-induced vascular changes.Keywords: obese, children, mitochondrial-derived peptides, MOTS-C, vascular endothelial function

Yi-Zi Zheng,1,&ast; Jia-Ying Li,2,3,&ast; Lv-Wen Ning,3 Ni Xie3 1Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Shenzhen Breast Tumor Research Center for Diagnosis and Treatment, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China; 2Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, People’s Republic of China; 3Biobank, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Ni Xie, Biobank, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital, Shenzhen University, 3002 Sungang West Road, Shenzhen, 518035, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-13501580802, Fax +86-0755-83003435, Email xn100@szu.edu.cnIntroduction: Tripartite motif-containing protein (TRIM) family members play crucial roles in carcinogenesis and chemotherapy resistance. In this study, we aimed to determine whether TRIM58 protein expression is related to patient responses to neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) and their survival outcome.Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed on female breast cancer samples from biopsies before NAT in Shenzhen Second People’s Hospital. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression tests were used to analyze the association between TRIM58 protein expression and pathological complete response (pCR). The Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI). The Kaplan–Meier plotter database was used to analyze the prognostic value of TRIM58.Results: High TRIM58 expression was associated with small tumor size in all the patients (n = 58). Multivariate analysis suggested that low TRIM58 expression was an independent predictive factor for higher pCR (odds ratio = 0.06, 95% CI 0.005– 0.741, P = 0.028). The Kaplan–Meier Plotter dataset suggested that the TRIM58 high-expression group showed a worse 5-year overall survival than the low-expression group (HR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.07– 1.67, P = 0.01). Pathway analysis revealed the potential mechanisms of TRIM58 in chemoresistance.Discussion: Our study suggests that TRIM58 is a promising biomarker for both neoadjuvant chemosensitivity and long-term clinical outcomes in breast cancer. It may also help to identify candidate responders and determine treatment strategies.Keywords: chemosensitivity, pathological complete response, biomarker, patient stratification, predictive diagnostics

Jiao-Yang Li,1,2 Jing Yang,1,2 Xiao-Yan Qi,1 Yan-Hua Luo,1 Ya-Di Wang,1,2 Zhe-Zhen Liao,1,2 Li Ran,1 Xin-Hua Xiao,1,2 Jiang-Hua Liu1,2 1Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Institute of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Jiang-Hua Liu; Xin-Hua Xiao Email jianghua990@hotmail.com; xinhua0102@163.com

Rui Gao,1 Jin-Hua Liang,2 Tian-Shuo Man,2 Li Wang,2 Hua-Yuan Zhu,2 Wei Wu,2 Lei Fan,2 Jian-Yong Li,2 Tao Yang,1,* Wei Xu2,*1Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Nanjing 210029, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing 210029, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workPurpose: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with elevated cancer risk and poor survival. The objective of this study was to assess the prognostic value of DM in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).Methods: Five hundred and fifty-three newly diagnosed DLBCL patients whose treatments included rituximab were recruited. Propensity score-matched method was performed to balance baseline characteristics and eliminate possible bias. Multivariate Cox regression analyses screened the prognostic risk factors in relation to progression-free survival (PFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Receiver-operator characteristic curves and the corresponding areas under the curve (AUC) assessed the predictive accuracy of international prognostic index (IPI) together with DM.Results: One hundred and nine patients (19.71%) had pre-existing DM. In the propensity-matched cohort, DM was associated with unfavorable PFS and CSS in rituximab era, and it was an independent risk factor for both inferior PFS and CSS, especially in patients with age ≤60 years, IPI 0−2, B symptoms and lactate dehydrogenase ≤upper limit of normal. Prediabetics also demonstrated inferior prognostic outcomes compared to patients with no diabetic tendency. DM as one additional point to IPI had larger AUC compared with IPI alone in CSS prediction and could improve the prognostic capacity of IPI.Conclusion: The results indicate that preexisting DM is an important risk factor for survival. It could help predict life expectancy and build refined prognostication models for DLBCL.Keywords: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, progression-free survival, cancer-specific survival, propensity score-matched analysis

Jinghong Liang, Jiayu Li, Ruixia Jia, Yingquan Wang, Rongkun Wu, Hongbo Zhang, Lei Hang, Yong Xu Department of Child Health, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, China Purpose: The increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) demands more effective drugs, which are still unclear. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of six drugs, such as donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, memantine, huperzine-A, and tacrine, in senior AD patients and identify the most effective one to improve patients’ cognitive function.Methods: A system of search strategies was used to identify relevant studies including randomized controlled trials and clinical controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of six drugs in patients with AD. We updated relevant studies that were published before March 2018 as full-text articles. Using Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA), we ranked cognitive ability objectively based on Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE). Pairwise and NMAs were sequentially performed for the efficacy of drugs compared to each drug or control group through the trials included.Results: Among the 35 trials included, no obvious heterogeneity (I2=0.0%, P=0.583) was revealed according to the pooled data for cognition in NMA and the mean difference (MD) of memantine (MD=1.7, 95% CI: 0.73, 2.8) showed that the memantine was significantly efficacious in the treatment group in terms of MMSE. Followed by galantamine, huperzine-A, rivastigmine, tacrine, and donepezil.Conclusion: As the first NMA comparing the major drugs in market for AD, our study suggests that memantine might have a more significant benefit on cognition than other five drugs available. Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive drugs, Bayesian network meta-analysis

Jingya Li,1,* Ruizhen Zhao,1,* Xiaoli Li,1 Wenjun Sun,1 Miao Qu,1 Qisheng Tang,1 Xinke Yang,1 Shujing Zhang2 1Third Affiliated Hospital, 2School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China *These authors contributed equally to this work Background: Shen-Qi-Jie-Yu-Fang (SJF) is composed of eight Chinese medicinal herbs. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating postpartum depression (PPD). Previous studies have shown that SJF treats PPD through the neuroendocrine mechanism. Aim: To further investigate the effect of SJF on the immune system, including the inflammatory response system and CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells. Materials and methods: Sprague Dawley rats were used to create an animal model of PPD by inducing hormone-simulated pregnancy followed by hormone withdrawal. After hormone withdrawal, the PPD rats were treated with SJF or fluoxetine for 1, 2, and 4 weeks. Levels of Treg cells in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry analysis. Serum interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and gene and protein expressions of IL-1RI, IL-6Rα, and gp130 in the hippocampus were observed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Results: Serum IL-1β in PPD rats increased at 2 weeks and declined from then on, while serum IL-6 increased at 1, 2, and 4 weeks. Both IL-1β and IL-6 were downregulated by SJF and fluoxetine. Changes in gene and protein expressions of IL-1RI and gp130 in PPD rats were consistent with changes in serum IL-1β, and were able to be regulated by SJF and fluoxetine. The levels of Treg cells were negatively correlated with serum IL-1β and IL-6, and were decreased in PPD rats. The levels of Treg cells were increased by SJF and fluoxetine. Conclusion: Dysfunction of proinflammatory cytokines and Tregs in different stages of PPD was attenuated by SJF and fluoxetine through the modulation of serum concentrations of IL-1β and IL-6, expressions of IL-1RI, and gp130 in the hippocampus, and CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in peripheral blood. Keywords: postpartum depression, inflammatory cytokines, antidepressant drugs, Chinese herbal medicine, shenqi jieyu fang, animal model

Dandan Liu,1 Hao Pan,2 Fengwei He,1 Xiaoyu Wang,3 Jinyu Li,3 Xinggang Yang,3 Weisan Pan31Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, Liaoning Institute of Science and Technology, Benxi, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK; 3Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People’s Republic of China Abstract: The purpose of this work was to explore the particle size reduction effect of carvedilol on dissolution and absorption. Three suspensions containing different sized particles were prepared by antisolvent precipitation method or in combination with an ultrasonication process. The suspensions were characterized for particle size, surface morphology, and crystalline state. The crystalline form of carvedilol was changed into amorphous form after antisolvent precipitation. The dissolution rate of carvedilol was significantly accelerated by a reduction in particle size. The intestinal absorption of carvedilol nanosuspensions was greatly improved in comparison with microsuspensions and solution in the in situ single-pass perfusion experiment. The in vivo evaluation demonstrated that carvedilol nanosuspensions and microsuspensions exhibited markedly increased Cmax (2.09- and 1.48-fold) and AUC0–t (2.11- and 1.51-fold), and decreased Tmax (0.34- and 0.48-fold) in contrast with carvedilol coarse suspensions. Moreover, carvedilol nanosuspensions showed good biocompatibility with the rat gastric mucosa in in vivo gastrointestinal irritation test. The entire results implicated that the dissolution rate and the oral absorption of carvedilol were significantly affected by the particle size. Particle size reduction to form nanosized particles was found to be an efficient method for improving the oral bioavailability of carvedilol. Keywords: carvedilol, nanosuspensions, intestinal absorption, oral bioavailability, gastrointestinal irritation

Janet Y Li1, Steven Horwitz2, Alison Moskowitz2, Patricia L Myskowski3, Melissa Pulitzer4, Christiane Querfeld31College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 2Department of Medicine, Lymphoma Service, 3Department of Medicine, Dermatology Service, 4Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USAAbstract: Cutaneous T cell lymphomas (CTCL) clinically and biologically represent a heterogeneous group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas, with mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome being the most common subtypes. Over the last decade, new immunological and molecular pathways have been identified that not only influence CTCL phenotype and growth, but also provide targets for therapies and prognostication. This review will focus on recent advances in the development of therapeutic agents, including bortezomib, the histone deacetylase inhibitors (vorinostat and romidepsin), and pralatrexate in CTCL.Keywords: novel targets, histone deacetylase inhibitors, pralatrexate, bortezomib, cutaneous T cell lymphoma

Abstract Physical and electrical properties of wurtzitic ZnO straight nanowires grown via a vapor–solid mechanism were investigated. Raman spectrum shows four first-order phonon frequencies and a second-order Raman frequency of the ZnO nanowires. Electrical and photoconductive performance of individual ZnO straight nanowire devices was studied. The results indicate that the nanowires reported here are n-type semi-conductors and UV light sensitive, and a desirable candidate for fabricating UV light nanosensors and other applications.

Abstract Background Mammalian spermatozoa become fully motile and fertile during transit through the luminal fluid of the epididymis. At least 200 proteins are present in the epididymal lumen, but the potential roles of these luminal proteins in male fertility are unknown. Investigation of the function of these proteins will elucidate the mechanism of sperm maturation, and also provide new drug targets for male contraception. We cloned RNase9 from a human epididymis cDNA library for characterization and analysis of its functions. Findings It was predicted that human RNase9 gene was located on chromosome 14q11.2 and encoded a 205 amino acids protein with a signal peptide of 26 amino acids at the N-terminus. The protein had eight conserved cysteine residues characteristic of the RNase A family members and several potential post-translational modification sites. At the transcriptional level, RNase9 was expressed in a wide variety of tissues, and the expression was higher in men than in boys. RNase9 was localized to the post-equatorial region of the sperms' head. Immunofluorescence staining showed that RNase9 protein was present mostly in the epithelium of the epididymal tubule. Recombinant RNase9 had no ribonuclease activity. In addition, RNase9 had no detectable effect on sperm motility and fertilization as demonstrated by blocking spermatozoa with anti-RNase9 polyclonal serum. Conclusion RNase9 is expressed in a wide variety of tissues. It is located on the post-equatorial region of the sperm head and the epithelium of epididymal tubule. Although RNase9 belongs to the RNase A family, it has no ribonuclease activity.

Objective: To investigate the bacteriostatic and cariostatic effect of a novel povidone-iodine/fluoride foam in children at high risk for caries. Method and Materials: Sixty-one 6-to 9-year-old children with at least 1 active dental caries lesion were randomly assigned to 2 groups and treated weekly with either povidone-iodine/fluoride foam (n = 30. experimental group) or place bo fluoride foam (n = 31, control group) for 4 weeks. Stimulated saliva samples were collected for bacteriostatic assessment before each treatment and at 2 and 6 months during the experiment. In addition, laser fluorescence readings of the permanent first molars were taken for the evaluation of cariostatic effect before the treatment and at 2, 6, and 12 months during the experiment. Results: Both groups showed a constant decrease of salivary mutans streptococci over 6 months. Significantly lower laser fluorescence readings were observed for both groups at the 6th month, although with a slight reverse at the 12th month. However, no statistically significant difference was achieved between the 2 groups either for salivary bacteria levels over 6 months or laser fluorescence readings within 1 year. Conclusion: As far as bacteriostatic and cariostatic effects are concerned, clinical application of povidone-iodine/fluoride foam shows no superiority over the regular fluoride foam during a 1-year period. Evidence is still lacking for the combination use of povidone-iodine and fluoride to achieve a better caries-prevention effect in a high caries-risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]