Status of prepackaged food intake and the association with growth and development in school aged children of Chengdu City / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To determine the association between the intake of five major types of prepackaged foods and the growth and development of school aged children, so as to provide a theoretical basis for guiding school aged children and their parents to make healthy prepackaged food choices.@*Methods@#Based on data from the South West China Childhood Nutrition and Growth Cohort (SCCNG), 381 children (6-11 years of age) were selected by stratified cluster sampling. Dietary intake and pubertal development were collected using questionnaires, and anthropometric measurements were obtained. Children were followed up until November 2022. Binary Logistic regression models were used to analyze the prospective association between prepackaged food intake and the growth and development of school aged children.@*Results@#The total intake of the five major types of prepackaged foods was 316.1 (197.1,501.4) g/d. After 2 years of follow up evaluations, 16.5% of school aged children were shown to be overweight and obese. Early spermarche occurred in 12.6% of boys and early menarche occurred in 15.4% of girls. The following findings were suggested after adjusting for the mothers education level, average gross monthly family income, whether or not the family had one child only, geographic area of residence, body mass index Z score, average duration of daily exercise, and total dietary energy intake: convenience food intake might increase the risk of early spermarche ( OR =9.37); fruit and vegetable intake might decrease the risk of early spermarche and menarche ( OR =0.33,0.17); and fish, poultry, meat, and egg intake might increase the risk of early menarche ( OR =7.59)( P <0.05). Intake of the five types of prepackaged foods was not associated with being overweight or obese after adjusting for confounders ( OR =1.40, 0.57, 0.73, 1.33,1.57, P >0.05).@*Conclusions@#The relationship between intake of the five major types of prepackaged foods and pubertal development is inconsistent and no significant correlation was detected between the intake of prepackaged foods and overweight or obese children. Nutrition education should be strengthened to help children and their parents choose healthy prepackaged foods.

Differences in gut microbiota among primary school students with different levels of sugar sweetened beverage consumption / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the differences in the gut microbiota of primary school students with different levels of sugar sweetened beverage intake, so as to provide scientific evidence for better identification of health risks in children and the development of targeted health policies.@*Methods@#In June 2022, a total of 192 healthy primary school students from Chengdu were selected using a stratified cluster random sampling method. The sugar sweetened beverage intake was assessed through a dietary frequency questionnaire. Based on the median daily sugar sweetened beverage intake, primary school students were categorized into a low intake group ( n =96) and a high intake group ( n =96). The gut microbiota in fresh fecal samples from the two groups of primary school students was analyzed using 16S rRNA high throughput sequencing, and the diversity and community structure differences in the gut microbiota were compared.@*Results@#Children in the low intake group had a sugar sweetened beverage intake of (21.3±1.6) mL/d, while the high intake group had an intake of (269.6±37.3) mL/d. Diversity analysis results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the low intake and the high intake group in terms of α diversity metrics: Observed_otus index [298.50 (259.75, 342.25), 305.50 (244.25, 367.75)], Goods_coverage index [1.00 (1.00, 1.00), 1.00 (1.00, 1.00)], Chao index [304.18 (260.75, 348.78), 305.88 (245.68, 370.88)], Shannon index [5.88 (5.29, 6.45), 5.71 (4.89, 6.28)] and Simpson index [0.95 (0.91, 0.97), 0.94 (0.88, 0.97)] ( Z =-0.64, -0.76, -0.54, -1.76, -1.67, P >0.05). Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was observed in β diversity between the two groups ( R 2=0.006, P >0.05). At the genus level, the abundance of Blautia [0.033 (0.018, 0.055)] and Fusicatenibacter [0.009 (0.005, 0.015)] were higher in the low intake group compared to the high intake group [0.024 (0.013, 0.041),0.006 (0.003, 0.011)]and differences were statistically significant ( Z =-2.52, -2.81, P <0.05). LEfSe analysis highlighted intergroup differences primarily in Blautia, Fusicatenibacter and Sarcina( LDA= 3.56,3.12,3.53, P <0.05).@*Conclusions@#There is no significant difference in the diversity and overall structure of the gut microbiota in primary school students with different levels of sugar sweetened beverage intake. However, there are species variations at the genus level. The information can serve as a scientific basis for identifying health risks in primary school students and formulating targeted health strategies.

Prospective effects of dietary intake on lung function of pupils in Chengdu City / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate the prospective effects of intake of each food group on the development of lung function of pupils,so as to provide theoretical basis for promoting the healthy development of lung function and preventing chronic respiratory diseases in Chinese children.@*Methods@#A cluster stratified sampling method was used to select a total of 893 pupils in grades 2-5 from Chengdu in November 2021. Dietary data of respondents were collected using a food frequency questionnaire within the past year,then the food group intake was categorized into T1, T2 and T3 from low to high by the trichotomous method, and anthropometric measurements including lung capacity were obtained in 2022. Logistic regression models and test for trend were used to analyze the prospective effects of intake of each food group on lung function development of pupils.@*Results@#Among male students, consumption of vegetables [118.6(50.5, 188.2)g/d] and milk and dairy products [200.0(73.3, 250.0)g/d] were higher in the excellent lung capacity group than in the non excellent lung capacity group [90.0(37.1, 192.9), and 178.6(35.7, 250.0)g/d],with statistically significant differences ( Z =-1.98, -2.24); among girls, the group with excellent lung capacity consumed less staple food [391.1(273.6, 511.4)g/d] than the group with non excellent lung capacity [407.4(309.5, 594.3)g/d], and the group with excellent lung capacity consumed more aquatic products [31.2(14.6, 69.8)g/d] and milk and dairy products [215.0(107.1, 250.1) g/d ] than that of the non excellent lung capacity [19.4(10.7, 58.3), 114.3(35.7, 250.0)g/d] ( Z =-2.01, -3.33, -5.10)( P < 0.05 ). After adjusting for energy, body mass index Z score(BMI Z ), mother s education level, averge family income monthly, whether presence of smokers in the living environment, and whether participation in physical activities during the past week, among male students, T3 group of vegetable intake ( OR =0.48, 95% CI = 0.27-0.86), T2 group of bean and soy product intake ( OR = 0.52 , 95% CI =0.27-0.96)，T2 and T3 groups of milk and dairy products intake (T2： OR =0.54, 95% CI =0.31-0.93; T3： OR = 0.52 , 95% CI =0.30-0.90) were negatively associated with non excellent lung capacity ( P <0.05). Among girls, T3 group of aquatic product intake( OR =0.52, 95% CI =0.28-0.97), T2 and T3 groups of milk and dairy product (T2: OR =0.44, 95% CI =0.25- 0.76 ;T3: OR =0.33, 95% CI =0.19-0.59) were negatively associated with nonexcellent lung capacity, whereas the T2 group of red meat intake ( OR =2.51, 95% CI =1.37-4.67) was positively associated with non excellent lung capacity. Non excellent lung capacity was found to be negatively associated with vegetable and milk and dairy product intake in boys by test for trend; in girls, milk and dairy products intake was negatively associated with non excellent lung capacity, whereas red meat intake was positively associated with non excellent lung capacity ( t =-1.13，-0.44；-3.03，1.95, P trend <0.05).@*Conclusions@#Milk and dariy products intakes reduce the risk of non excellent lung capacity in pupils, vegetables intakes reduce the risk of non excellent lung capacity in boys, and the intake of red meat increases the risk of non excellent lung capacity in girls. Promoting rational food choices is necessary for children to improve healthy lung development.

Latent classes and associated factors of suicidal ideation among high school students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand current situation epidemiology and associated factors of suicidal ideation among high school students in Yixing, so as to provide basis for targeted intervention.@*Methods@#From March to May 2019, a questionnaire survey was conducted on 12 799 students from 3 junior high schools and 4 senior high schools in Yixing City, Jiangsu Province, using a stratified cluster random sampling method. Latent profile analysis was used to classify suicidal ideation among high school students, the chi square test was used to compare the differences in suicidal ideation among different characteristics of students, multiple Logistic regression was used to analyze influencing factors, a risk predictive nomogram model was constructed and then verified.@*Results@#Three latent classes of suicidal ideation among high school students was divided into three categories were observed: none or mild, moderate, and severe. Among them, 3 034 (23.7%) had moderate suicidal ideation and 753 (5.9%) had severe suicidal ideation. The Logistic regression results showed that gender was female, academic performance was lower midrange, smoking, drinking, popularity with classmates(less popular and unpopularity), family member relationships(general/occasional contradictions/contradictions), trust in others(more trusted/less trusted/less trusted at all), past or current relationships, physical bullying, relationship bullying, verbal bullying, and sexual bullying were the influencing factors for severe suicidal ideation among students ( OR =3.27； 2.18 ；1.63；1.72；2.66, 6.05；3.00,3.29, 6.38；1.71, 6.04, 12.48； 2.50； 1.59； 2.16； 1.45； 1.63, P <0.05). The nomogram prediction model had good discrimination.@*Conclusions@#Suicide ideation is influenced by multiple factors. Family and peer situations, as well as being bullied, are all related to the degree the severity of suicidal ideation. Efforts can be made to improve students family and interpersonal relationships, control bullying, then reduce their suicidal ideation which might help prevent suicide ideation among students.

Analysis of subtypes and risk characteristics of depression and anxiety among primary and secondary school students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To understand different types of depression and anxiety among primary and secondary school students, as well as their influencing factors, so as to provide a basis for the development of future intervention programs for adolescent mental health.@*Methods@#From December 2022 to February 2023, a self administered questionnaire survey was administered among grades 4 to 6 students and junior school, senior school students in Yixing City using Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Family Environment Scale (FES), and modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (mYFAS 2.0), Ottawa Self injury Inventory (OSI). A total of 4 180 students were included in the analysis. Different types of depression and anxiety in students and their influencing factors were analyzed by the Chi squaretest and multivariate Logistic regression.@*Results@#The overall prevalence of depression and anxiety among primary and secondary school students were 16.6% and 22.4%, respectively, with 14.0% of depression and anxiety comorbidities. The Logistic regression results showed that, compared to students with low depression-low anxiety, students of depression and anxiety who had parents in conflicts ( OR =3.06), smoked ( OR =3.16), exhibited moderate food addiction ( OR =3.56), and had non suicidal self injury (NSSI) ( OR =2.26) were more likely to be classified as a depression predominant-depression anxiety type. Students of depression and anxiety who consumed alcohol ( OR =2.00), had serious food addiction ( OR =5.44), moderate to severe insomnia ( OR =3.25), and mild insomnia ( OR =1.88) were more likely to be classified as anxiety predominant-depression anxiety type. Students of depression and anxiety with low mood ( OR =10.87), mild food addiction ( OR =2.00), moderate food addiction ( OR =4.32), and severe food addiction ( OR =7.35), mild ( OR =2.96) or moderate to severe ( OR =16.52) insomnia, and NSSI ( OR =4.24) were more likely to be classified as the severe depression anxiety type( P < 0.05 ).@*Conclusions@#There are significant differences between different depression-anxiety types among primary and secondary school students with respect to food addiction, insomnia, NSSI, smoking, and alcohol use. Relevant departments should engage with schools and families to adopt targeted interventions for students to reduce the occurrence of mental health problems.

Association between negative emotion, family intimacy and Internet addiction among junior and senior school students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the association between negative emotion (depression, anxiety and stress), family intimacy and Internet addiction, so as to provide a basis for the intervention of Internet addiction among junior and senior high school students.@*Methods@#Students were selected by stratified random cluster sampling method from junior high schools and senior high schools from December 2022 to February 2023 in Yixing City, Jiangsu Provicne. A total of 3 026 students completed the questionnaire survey, including the demographic characteristics, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Family Environment Scale-Chinese Version (FES-CV), and Chinese Internet Addiction Scale Revised (CIAS-R). Bivariate correlation was used to analyzed the association of family intimacy, depression, anxiety, stress, and Internet addiction. Mediating effect model was used to analyzed the mediating effect of negative emotion between family intimacy and Internet addiction.@*Results@#The average score of Internet addiction among junior and senior high school students was (46.26±15.58), and there were statistical differences in the average scores of Internet addiction across different grades ( F=87.15, P <0.01). Depression ( r =0.57), anxiety ( r =0.56), stress ( r = 0.57) were positively correlated with Internet addiction, and family intimacy ( r =-0.34) was negatively correlated with Internet diction ( P <0.01). In the mediating effect model, family intimacy negatively predicted negative emotion ( β =-0.48) and Internet addiction ( β =-0.10), and negative emotion positively predicted Internet addiction ( β =0.45) ( P <0.01). Negative emotion played a partial mediating role between family intimacy and Internet addiction (the mediation value:-1.71, 95% CI =-1.96--1.49, mediation ratio:67.9%, P <0.05).@*Conclusions@#There are associations between negative emotion, family intimacy and Internet addiction among junior and senior school students. Family intimacy indirectly affects Internet addiction mainly through negative emotion. It suggests that family education is in need of attention to reduce the prevalence rate of Internet addiction among junior and senior high school students, especially family intimacy.

Association of anxiety, insomnia, and family cohesion with Internet addiction and non suicidal self injury behavior in junior and senior school students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the mediating effect of anxiety, insomnia, and family cohesion between Internet addiction and non suicidal self injury (NSSI) behavior among junior and senior school students, so as to develop interventions to promote adolescent mental health.@*Methods@#A total of 3 026 junior and senior school students from Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China, were selected by stratified cluster sampling from December 2022 to February 2023, and were administered the Ottawa Self injury Inventory (OSI), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Family Environment Scale-Chinese Version (FES-CV), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Chinese Internet Addiction Scale Revised (CIAS-R). A mediating effect model was constructed to analyze the mediating effect of anxiety, insomnia, and family cohesion on Internet addiction and NSSI.@*Results@#Internet addiction ( r = 0.24), insomnia ( r =0.28), and anxiety ( r =0.27) were positively correlated with NSSI, while the latter was negatively correlated with family cohesion ( r =-0.23) ( P <0.01). The mediating effect model was well fitted ( CFI=0.999, TLI=0.978, RMSEA = 0.030 ). Anxiety (mediation effect value:0.12, 95% CI =0.08-0.18) and family cohesion (mediation effect value:0.08, 95% CI = 0.03 -0.13) had a separate mediating effect. A chain meditating effect was found in the case of anxiety and insomnia (mediation effect value:0.14, 95% CI =0.10-0.20), family cohesion and anxiety (mediation effect value:0.05, 95% CI =0.03-0.07), family cohesion and insomnia (mediation effect value:0.05, 95% CI =0.03-0.07), and family cohesion, anxiety, and insomnia (mediation effect value:0.06, 95% CI =0.04-0.08). The mediating effect accounted for 14.9%, 10.1%, 17.5%, 6.0%, 5.6%, and 7.1%, respectively.@*Conclusions@#Anxiety, insomnia, and family cohesion partially mediate Internet addiction and NSSI. Schools and families should pay attention to Internet addiction among junior and senior school students and develop appropriate interventions to promote adolescent mental health, so as to reduce the prevalence of NSSI.

Effects of different debridement methods on titanium surfaces in vitro / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @#To investigate the effect of different decontamination methods, including photodynamic therapy, sandblasting and titanium curette, on titanium surface morphology and bacterial adhesion for the treatment of peri-implant disease. @*Methods@#Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) were inoculated on the surface of polished titanium specimens, and titanium specimen surfaces were treated with different decontamination methods after incubation. The titanium specimens were divided into a no-treatment control group, photodynamic group, sandblasting group and titanium curette group according to different decontamination methods. The changes in titanium surface roughness were observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the remaining bacteria on the titanium surface were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and live/dead bacteria staining tests. After reinoculation of Pg and Fn, bacterial readhesion was observed on the surface of decontaminated titanium specimens. @*Results @#The AFM results showed that the surface roughness of the titanium curette group was significantly higher than that of the no-treatment control group, photodynamic group and sandblasting group (P<0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference between the no-treatment control group, photodynamic group and sandblasting group (P>0.05). The results of contact angle measurement showed that the surface contact angle of each treatment group was smaller than that of the no-treatment control group (P<0.05). The SEM results obtained after the titanium specimen surface was decontaminated showed that the number of bacteria on the no-treatment control group surface was higher and the bacteria were relatively concentrated. The bacteria on the surface of the photodynamic group, sandblasting group and titanium curette group were scattered and distributed in small numbers, and most bacteria on the surface of the photodynamic group were ruptured. The results of the live/dead bacteria staining experiment showed that the percentage of dead bacteria on the surface of the photodynamic group was significantly higher than that of the no-treatment control group, sandblasting group and titanium curette group (P<0.05). The remaining bacteria on the surface of the sandblasting group and titanium curette groups were mainly live bacteria. The remaining bacterial adhesion on the surface was significantly reduced for the sandblasting group compared to the no-treatment control group and the photodynamic and titanium curette groups (P<0.05). SEM and live/dead bacteria staining results of bacterial readhesion on the surface of titanium specimens showed that there was an aggregation of Pg on the surface of the titanium curette group, and its surface bacterial adhesion was significantly higher than that of the no-treatment control group, photodynamic group and sandblasting group. @*Conclusion @#In mechanical decontamination, sandblasting machines are a better option than photodynamic therapy and titanium curettes; however, sandblasting does not remove all bacterial contamination. For sterilization, photodynamic therapy is more effective than sandblasting and titanium curettes. A combination of sandblasting and photodynamic therapy methods for the treatment of peri-implant disease may be considered in clinical practice.

Cyberbullying and associated factors among middle school students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore cyberbullying and risk factors of middle school students, and to provide a reference for cyberbullying prevention in school settings.@*Methods@#A stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 12 940 students from three junior high schools and four senior high schools in Yixing City of Jiangsu Province, China, to conduct a questionnaire survey from March 1 to May 31, 2019. The Chi -square test was performed to compare differences in the prevalence of cyberbullying among groups with different sociodemographic characteristics, and the multivariate Logistic regression model was employed to analyze the risk factors. A risk predictive nomogram model was constructed and then verified.@*Results@#Middle school students were found to be victims of cyberbullying at a rate of 12.3%. The Logistic regression results showed that alcohol use ( OR =1.93), lack of emotional management ( OR =1.30), feeling unsafe ( OR =1.70), not trusting people ( OR =1.66), increased daily online time ( OR =1.39), higher frequency of using social software or websites ( OR =2.24), poor relationships with family members ( OR =1.46), parental neglect ( OR =1.50), class leadership ( OR =1.30) and poor relationships with classmates ( OR =1.34) were risk factors for middle school students who were victims of cyberbullying ( P <0.05). Based on these 10 independent risk factors, the nomogram prediction model, had good discrimination ( AUC =0.73).@*Conclusion@#Cyberbullying is common among middle school students. Internet use, parental neglect and class leadership all have an impact on cyberbullying.

Bioinformatics analysis of sterol O⁃acyltransferase 1 gene related to hepatocellular carcinoma / 中国生物制品学杂志

@#Abstract：Objective To predict the structure and function of sterol O⁃acyltransferase 1（SOAT1）related to hepatocellular carcinoma（HCC）by using bioinformatics tools，in order to understand its mechanism as the marker and therapeutic target of S⁃Ⅲ subtype. Methods The structure，function and protein interaction of SOAT1 were predicted and analyzed by using databases or softwares such as NCBI，STRING，Protscale，SignalP，TMHMM，PSORT，SOPMA，SWISS ⁃ MODEL， NetNGlyc，NetOGlyc，Netphos and ProtParam. Results The protein encoded by SOAT1 was a hydrophobic protein with good stability，which was a nonclassical pathway protein with 8 transmembrane regions，mainly distributed among the cell membrane. SOAT1 was expressed in many tissues，while most of them in the adrenal gland，which showed multiple phosphorylation sites and was mainly involved in the synthesis and catabolism of cholesterol. Conclusion Bioinformatics analysis of structure and function of SOAT1 showed that SOAT1 lipid synthesis and catabolism pathways played an important role，and lipid expression was closely related to the development of cancer，indicating that the treatment of HCC may be achieved by regulating the expression of SOAT1 gene.

3D finite element analysis of the influence of upper lip pressure on the maxilla for patients with unilateral alveolar cleft / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @#To investigate the biomechanical effects of upper lip pressure on the maxilla in patients with a unilateral alveolar cleft and provide evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment. @*Methods @#A 3D finite element maxillary model was generated based on cone beam CT (CBCT) data from an 11-year-old female patient with a unilateral alveolar cleft. Two different kinds of upper lip pressure, postsurgery pressure and normal pressure, were applied to the model. The displacement and stress of each reference node were compared and analyzed. @*Results @# By loading upper lip pressure, the maxillary alveolar crest rotated toward the defect and was displaced downward and backward. The displacement of the noncleft side was greater than that of the cleft side and it decreased gradually from the anterior to the posterior. The stress was concentrated on the anterior portion of the alveolar crest. The stress on the noncleft side was greater than that on the cleft side and it decreased gradually from the anterior to the posterior. The maximum stress was concentrated on the palate around the defect. The displacement and stress in the postsurgery group were greater than those of the normal group (P<0.05). @*Conclusion @#By loading upper lip pressure, the maxilla demonstrated asymmetry three-dimensionally. The adverse effects on the maxilla could be mitigated by reducing the upper lip pressure.

Prospective effects of protein and animal foods intake on age at menarche among Chinese girls / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate the prospective effects of the consumption of protein and animal foods before menarche on the age at menarche among Chinese girls.@*Methods@#This paper was based on the data collected in the China Health and Nutrition Survey(CHNS) from 1997 to 2015. A total of 683 girls aged 6 and over who had completed information on age at menarche, height, weight, per capita annual household income, maternal education level and participated in at least one complete dietary survey within 1 to 4 years before menarche were included. Urban-rural stratified multivariable linear regression model was used to examine the effects of protein and animal foods intake before menarche on Chinese girls age at menarche in urban and rural areas.@*Results@#After adjusted for total energy intake, body mass index standard deviation score and per capita annual household income, the consumption of meat before menarche was negatively associated with the age at menarche among rural Chinese girls(B=-0.003, P=0.00), but not among urban Chinese girls(B=0.002, P>0.05). Total protein, dairy, eggs and aquatic products intake before menarche were not associated with Chinese girls age at menarche in urban and rural areas(B=0.002, -0.001, 0.003, 0.000; 0.001, 0.001, -0.001, -0.003, P>0.05).@*Conclusion@#Higher intake of meat before menarche might lead to earlier menarche onset in rural Chinese girls. The consumption of total protein, dairy, eggs, and aquatic products before menarche did not affect the age at menarche in Chinese girls.

A study of natural IgG antibodies against ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 3 in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Aims: ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 3 (ABCC3) is involved in multidrug resistance and is overexpressed in some solid tumors. Recent work revealed an increase in circulating anti-ABCC3 antibodies in lung and esophageal cancers. This in vitro study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the natural IgG antibody against the ABCC3-derived peptide antigen on proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells and augment the development of efficient and effective treatments in patients with OSCC. Subjects and Methods: An in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was applied to detect anti-ABCC3 IgG antibody in human plasma. Two OSCC cell lines, CAL27 and SCC15, were cultured with 20% plasma either positive or negative for anti-ABCC3 IgG. Cell proliferation was quantified by the CCK-8 method, and cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of the ABCC3 gene in the cell lines was analyzed by reverse transcriptase quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The results showed that plasma anti-ABCC3 IgG significantly inhibited the proliferation of CAL27 cells but not SCC15 cells, although ABCC3 was expressed in both cell lines. The proportion of apoptotic cells was significantly higher in CAL27 cells treated with anti-ABCC3 IgG-positive plasma than in those treated with IgG-negative plasma. Cell cycle progression was arrested in CAL27 cells treated with anti-ABCC3 IgG-positive plasma. Conclusions: Our data suggest that human plasma anti-ABCC3 IgG may be a promising agent in anti-OSCC therapy, although further studies are needed to arrive at a definitive conclusion

Peptidomic analysis of the venom of the solitary bee Xylocopa appendiculata circumvolans

Background: Among the hymenopteran insect venoms, those from social wasps and bees - such as honeybee, hornets and paper wasps - have been well documented. Their venoms are composed of a number of peptides and proteins and used for defending their nests and themselves from predators. In contrast, the venoms of solitary wasps and bees have not been the object of further research. In case of solitary bees, only major peptide components in a few venoms have been addressed. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the peptide component profile of the venom from the solitary bee Xylocopa appendiculata circumvolans by peptidomic analysis with using LC-MS. Methods: A reverse-phase HPLC connected to ESI-OrbiTrap MS was used for LC-MS. On-line mass fingerprinting was made from TIC, and data-dependent tandem mass spectrometry gave MSMS spectra. A major peptide component was isolated by reverse-phase HPLC by conventional way, and its sequence was determined by Edman degradation, which was finally corroborated by solid phase synthesis. Using the synthetic specimen, biological activities (antimicrobial activity, mast cell devaluation, hemolysis, leishmanicidal activity) and pore formation in artificial lipid bilayer were evaluated. Results: On-line mass fingerprinting revealed that the crude venom contained 124 components. MS/MS analysis gave 75 full sequences of the peptide components. Most of these are related to the major and novel peptide, xylopin. Its sequence, GFVALLKKLPLILKHLH-NH2, has characteristic features of linear cationic α-helical peptides; rich in hydrophobic and basic amino acids with no disulfide bond, and accordingly, it can be predicted to adopt an amphipathic α-helix secondary structure. In biological evaluation, xylopin exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and moderate mast cell degranulation and leishmanicidal activities, but showed virtually no hemolytic activity. Additionally, the peptide was able to incorporate pores in artificial lipid bilayers of azolectin, confirming the mechanism of the cytolytic activity by pore formation in biological membranes. Conclusions: LC-ESI-MS and MS/MS analysis of the crude venom extract from a solitary bee Xylocopa appendiculata circumvolans revealed that the component profile of this venom mostly consisted of small peptides. The major peptide components, xylopin and xylopinin, were purified and characterized in a conventional manner. Their chemical and biological characteristics, belonging to linear cationic α-helical peptides, are similar to the known solitary bee venom peptides, melectin and osmin. Pore formation in artificial lipid bilayers was demonstrated for the first time with a solitary bee peptide.(AU)

Peptidomic analysis of the venom of the solitary bee Xylocopa appendiculata circumvolans

Abstract Background: Among the hymenopteran insect venoms, those from social wasps and bees - such as honeybee, hornets and paper wasps - have been well documented. Their venoms are composed of a number of peptides and proteins and used for defending their nests and themselves from predators. In contrast, the venoms of solitary wasps and bees have not been the object of further research. In case of solitary bees, only major peptide components in a few venoms have been addressed. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the peptide component profile of the venom from the solitary bee Xylocopa appendiculata circumvolans by peptidomic analysis with using LC-MS. Methods: A reverse-phase HPLC connected to ESI-OrbiTrap MS was used for LC-MS. On-line mass fingerprinting was made from TIC, and data-dependent tandem mass spectrometry gave MSMS spectra. A major peptide component was isolated by reverse-phase HPLC by conventional way, and its sequence was determined by Edman degradation, which was finally corroborated by solid phase synthesis. Using the synthetic specimen, biological activities (antimicrobial activity, mast cell devaluation, hemolysis, leishmanicidal activity) and pore formation in artificial lipid bilayer were evaluated. Results: On-line mass fingerprinting revealed that the crude venom contained 124 components. MS/MS analysis gave 75 full sequences of the peptide components. Most of these are related to the major and novel peptide, xylopin. Its sequence, GFVALLKKLPLILKHLH-NH2, has characteristic features of linear cationic -helical peptides; rich in hydrophobic and basic amino acids with no disulfide bond, and accordingly, it can be predicted to adopt an amphipathic -helix secondary structure. In biological evaluation, xylopin exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and moderate mast cell degranulation and leishmanicidal activities, but showed virtually no hemolytic activity. Additionally, the peptide was able to incorporate pores in artificial lipid bilayers of azolectin, confirming the mechanism of the cytolytic activity by pore formation in biological membranes. Conclusions: LC-ESI-MS and MS/MS analysis of the crude venom extract from a solitary bee Xylocopa appendiculata circumvolans revealed that the component profile of this venom mostly consisted of small peptides. The major peptide components, xylopin and xylopinin, were purified and characterized in a conventional manner. Their chemical and biological characteristics, belonging to linear cationic -helical peptides, are similar to the known solitary bee venom peptides, melectin and osmin. Pore formation in artificial lipid bilayers was demonstrated for the first time with a solitary bee peptide.

Crown-to-root ratios in terms of length, surface area and volume: a pilot study of premolars / Relaciones de la corona y raíz dentaria en términos de longitud superficie y volumen: un estudio piloto de dientes premolares

The objective of this study was to construct three-dimensional (3D) images of premolars to measure the length, surface area and volume of crown and root and to analyze the mathematical relation among crown-to-root ratios in terms of length, surface area and volume. Twenty-five premolars were scanned using micro-computed tomography (micro CT) in vitro to build 3D models. The long axis and enamelo-cemental junction of each tooth were determined with the help of Geomagic Studio software, and the length, surface and volume of crown and root were measured. The crown-to-root ratios in terms of length, surface and volume were calculated and the relationship among length, surface area and volume of crown and root as well their ratios were analyzed using SPSS software. The interrelationship among crown length (x), surface area (y) and volume (z) could be expressed as z= -808.2 0+ 124.80x +3.35y -5.59x2-0.14xy+3.47y 2*10-4 (R2 = 0.99) and that of root length (x1), surface area (y1) and volume (z1), as z1= -207.50 +13.87x1+1.75y1 + 5.03x12*10-2-8.05x 1y1 *10-2+ 2.58*10-3y12 (R2 = 0.93) . The correlation among crown-to-root ratio in length(x2), crown-to-root ratio in surface area (y2) and crown-to-root ratio in volume (z2) could be expressed in z2= -4.48*10-2 -1.25x2*10-2+1.20y2 + 3.29x22-5.05x2y2 + 2.00y22 (R2 = 0.96). The length, surface area and volume of crown and root of premolars share a close relationship, while, a definite mathematical relation could be observed amongst their ratios. Crown to root ratio in terms of length, surface and volume, may provide a novel multi-criterion method for evaluating tooth function.

El objetivo de este estudio fue construir imágenes tridimensionales (3D) de los dientes premolares para medir la longitud, superficie y volumen de la corona y raíz, junto con analizar la relación matemática entre las proporciones de la corona a la raíz en términos de longitud, superficie y volumen. Veinticinco premolares fueron escaneados mediante microtomografía computadorizada (microTC) in vitro para construir modelos en 3D. Con el software Geomagic se determinaron el eje y la unión amelo-cementaria de cada diente, y se midieron la longitud, superficie y volumen de la corona y la raíz de los dientes premolares. Con el programa SPSS se calcularon y analizaron las proporciones de la corona a la raíz en términos de longitud, superficie y volumen y la relación entre la longitud, superficie y volumen de la corona y de la raíz. La interrelación entre la longitud de la corona (x), superficie (y) y el volumen (z) puede ser expresado como z= -808,2 0+ 124,80x + 3,35y -5,59x2-0,14xy + 3.47y2*10-4 (R2= 0,99) y la de longitud de la raíz (x1), área de superficie (y1) y el volumen (z1), como z1= -207,50 + 13.87x1 + 1.75y1 + 5.03x12 * 10-2-8.05x1y1 * 10-2 + 2,58 * 10-3y12 (R2= 0,93). La correlación entre la relación de corona a raíz en longitud (x2), la relación corona a raíz en superficie (y2) y la relación corona a raíz en volumen (Z2) podría expresarse en z2 = -4,48 * 10-2 * 10-2 -1.25x2 + 1.20y2 3.29x22-5.05x2y2 + 2.00y22 (R2= 0,96). La longitud, superficie y volumen de la corona y la raíz de los dientes premolares comparten una estrecha relación, mientras que, una relación matemática definida se pudo observar entre sus proporciones. La relación entre la corona y raíz en términos de longitud, superficie y volumen, puede proporcionar un nuevo método multi-criterio para evaluar la función de los dientes.