Application of panoramic radiographs in the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders.

To evaluate the feasibility of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) diagnosis with panoramic radiography, and provide standardized data for artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis by measuring the differences in the condylar and mandibular ramus heights. A total of 500 panoramic radiographs (219 male and 281 female participants) of healthy individuals were examined. The panoramic machine compatible measurement software, SCANORA 5.2.6, was used to measure the bilateral condylar height and mandibular ramus height, and SPSS 27.0 was used to calculate the left- and right-side differences in condylar height and mandibular ramus height of healthy individuals. Magnetic resonance images of the temporomandibular joint region obtained from 46 outpatients in the Stomatology Department were selected along with their corresponding panoramic radiographs. The left- and right-sided differences were measured and compared with the magnetic resonance imaging results. The measurement data are expressed as mean ±â€…standard deviation (mm). t Tests were used to analyze data from healthy male and healthy female groups. The findings revealed that while there was no significant difference (P > .05) in the height of the condyle between men and women, there was a significant difference (P  < .05) in the height of the mandibular ramus. In healthy population, the difference in height between the left and right condyle was 1.09 ±â€…0.99 mm. The difference in height of mandibular ramus in men was 1.26 ±â€…0.85 mm and that in women was 1.19 ±â€…0.87 mm. For the diagnosis of TMD, the sensitivity of panoramic radiographs was 94.74% (36/38), specificity was 75.00% (6/8), and diagnostic accuracy was 91.30% (42/46). The height of the right and left lateral condyles was not identical in healthy individuals, resulting in a discernible height discrepancy. In addition, the height of the mandibular ramus varied. By considering the left-right lateral height differences identified in this study along with clinical examination, it is possible to employ this metric as a preliminary screening tool for patients with TMD. Further, the use of panoramic radiographs for initial TMD screening is both viable and significant.

Correlation between MRAS gene polymorphism and atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between muscle RAS oncogene homolog (MRAS) gene polymorphism and the onset risk of atherosclerosis (AS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 135 AS patients diagnosed and treated in our hospital from November 2017 to October 2018 were randomly enrolled in the observation group. Meanwhile, 150 healthy adults were selected as control group. Venous blood was withdrawn from all the subjects, and DNAs were extracted. MRAS gene loci rs9818870 and rs3755751 were analyzed by the multiplex SNaPshot method, and their correlations with the onset risk of AS were explored. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in the frequencies at gene loci were observed between the two groups (p>0.05). Subjects with genotype TT at rs9818870 exhibited significantly higher risk of AS (p=0.041<0.05). The recessive model of rs9818870 (GG + AG/AA) in AS patients with coronary heart disease was correlated with AS (p=0.048<0.05). Similarly, the dominant model of rs3755751 (TT/TC+CC) in those with hypertension was associated with AS (p=0.027<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: MRAS gene is correlated with the onset of AS to a certain degree.

Novel monoclonal antibodies to ESAT-6 and CFP-10 antigens for ELISA-based diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the potential of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) of culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP-10) and early secretory antigenic target 6 (ESAT-6) in tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis. DESIGN: We generated and characterised monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific antigens ESAT-6 and CFP-10 by immunising BALB/c mice with an ESAT-6/CFP-10 fusion protein. Stable hybridoma cell lines were established and mAbs were specifically identified by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation. The mouse mAbs were used to coat plates, and biotin-labelled polyclonal antibodies were used to detect the antigens. One hundred and seventy-three samples of sputum culture supernatants and pleural effusion aspirates have been tested. RESULTS: The ESAT-6 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detected the culture supernatants and pleural effusion specimens that were positive for M. tuberculosis, but failed to identify M. tuberculosis-positive specimens in the non-M. tuberculosis culture supernatants or control specimens. This yielded a sensitivity of 95.4% and a specificity of 100% for the ESAT-6-specific ELISA. The CFP-10 ELISA presented less satisfactory sensitivity and specificity, of respectively 81.6% and 92.2%. Results showed positive detection rates of ESAT-6 and CFP-10 of 86.8% (33/38) and 76.3% (29/38) for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion in patients bacteriologically negative for M. tuberculosis culture. CONCLUSION: The ESAT-6 and CFP-10 ELISAs incorporating mAbs generated in this study serve as potential tools in the laboratory diagnosis of TB.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Microwave Absorption Property of the SnO2Nanowire/Paraffin Composites.

In this article, SnO2nanowires (NWs) have been prepared and their microwave absorption properties have been investigated in detail. Complex permittivity and permeability of the SnO2NWs/paraffin composites have been measured in a frequency range of 0.1-18 GHz, and the measured results are compared with that calculated from effective medium theory. The value of maximum reflection loss for the composites with 20 vol.% SnO2NWs is approximately -32.5 dB at 14 GHz with a thickness of 5.0 mm.

Edaravone neuroprotection effected by suppressing the gene expression of the Fas signal pathway following transient focal ischemia in rats.

Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that a free radical scavenger edaravone has neuroprotective effects on ischemic stroke but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. The aim of this research is to explore the effect of edaravone on the apoptotic process involving the Fas/FasL signaling pathway. Transient focal ischemia in rats was induced for 2 hours by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). After reperfusion rats were treated i.v. with either edaravone or physiological saline. The expression of Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD), death-associated protein (Daxx) and caspase-8 was examined by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA levels for FADD and Daxx by reverse-transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) and apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). Neurological scores and infarction volumes were also evaluated. Edaravone significantly improved the neurological outcome (p<0.05) and reduced the total infarct volumes (p<0.05), compared with saline control. In addition, edaravone-treatment significantly reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells (p<0.01), reduced expression levels of FADD, Daxx and caspase-8 immunoreactivity (p <0.05 approximately 0.01), and decreased mRNA levels of FADD and Daxx (p<0.05 approximately 0.01) within the peri-infarct area. We conclude that edaravone may protect ischemic neurons from apoptosis via suppressing the gene expression of the Fas/FasL signaling pathway.