Association of Tooth Loss and Diet Quality with Acceleration of Aging: Evidence from NHANES.

BACKGROUND: Although tooth loss is widely recognized as a typical sign of aging, whether it is associated with accelerated aging, and to what extent diet quality mediates this association are unknown. METHODS: Data were collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The missing tooth counts were recorded as the number of edentulous sites. Phenotypic accelerated aging was calculated using 9 routine clinical chemistry biomarkers and chronological age. Healthy Eating Index 2015 (HEI-2015) score was used to evaluate diet quality. Multivariate logistic regression and linear regression were used to analyze the association between tooth loss and accelerated aging. Mediation analyses were used to examine the mediation role of diet quality in the association. RESULTS: The association between tooth loss and accelerated aging was confirmed. The highest quartile of tooth loss showed a positive association with accelerated aging (ß=1.090; 95% confidence interval, 0.555 to 1.625; P < .001). Diet quality decreased with increase number of missing teeth and showed a negative association with accelerated aging. Mediation analysis suggested that the HEI-2015 score partially mediated the association between tooth loss and accelerated aging (proportion of mediation: 5.302%; 95% confidence interval, 3.422% to 7.182%; P < .001). Plant foods such as fruits and vegetables were considered the key mediating food. CONCLUSIONS: The association between tooth loss and accelerated aging, as well as the partially mediating role of dietary quality in this association was confirmed. These findings suggested that more attention should be paid to the population with severe tooth loss and the changes of their dietary quality.

Smart, Biomimetic Periosteum Created from the Cerium(III, IV) Oxide-Mineralized Eggshell Membrane.

The periosteum orchestrates the microenvironment of bone regeneration, including facilitating local neuro-vascularization and regulating immune responses. To mimic the role of natural periosteum for bone repair enhancement, we adopted the principle of biomimetic mineralization to delicately inlay amorphous cerium oxide within eggshell membranes (ESMs) for the first time. Cerium from cerium oxide possesses unique ability to switch its oxidation state from cerium III to cerium IV and vice versa, which provides itself promising potential for biomedical applications. ESMs are mineralized with cerium(III, IV) oxide and examined for their biocompatibility. Apart from serving as physical barriers, periosteum-like cerium(III, IV) oxide-mineralized ESMs are biocompatible and can actively regulate immune responses and facilitate local neuro-vascularization along with early-stage bone regeneration in a murine cranial defect model. During the healing process, cerium-inlayed biomimetic periosteum can boost early osteoclastic differentiation of macrophage lineage cells, which may be the dominant mediator of the local repair microenvironment. The present work provides novel insights into expanding the definition and function of a biomimetic periosteum to boost early-stage bone repair and optimize long-term repair with robust neuro-vascularization. This new treatment strategy which employs multifunctional bone-and-periosteum-mimicking systems creates a highly concerted microenvironment to expedite bone regeneration.

[The Association Between the Polymorphisms of miRNA Biogenesis Related Genes(DICER,DROSHA and RAN)and Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion in Chinese Women].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between polymorphisms of miRNA biogenesis related gene DICER,DROSHA,RAN and unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) in Chinese women. METHODS: We recruited 217 patients with URSA (URSA group) and 390 healthy controls who were fertile women with history of more than one successful pregnancy outcome (control group) from June 2013 to December 2015 in the West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University. The control group was recruited from regular physical examination and prepregnancy check for women of childbearing age during the same period. A case-control study was performed to analyze polymorphism of miRNA machinery genes,including DICER rs3742330,DROSHA rs10719, RAN rs14035,by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. RESULTS: The frequencies of genotypes and alleles of DICER rs3742330,DROSHA rs10719,and RAN rs14035 showed no difference between URSA patients and control group (all P>0.05). DICER rs3742330/DROSHA rs10719 GG/TC+TT combinations were synergistically associated with increased URSA risk [odds ratio (OR)=1.657,95% confidence interval (CI)=1.006-2.731, P=0.047]. Although DICER rs3742330/RAN rs14035 GG / TT+TC combinations was significantly higher in the URSA group than in the control group,there was no statistical significance (OR=1.977,95%CI=0.956-4.087, P=0.066). However,DROSHA10719/RAN14035 TT+TC/TT+TC had no significant correlation with URSA (OR=0.958,95%CI=0.679-1.353, P=0.808). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated the relationship between URSA development and combined genotype of DICER rs3742330/DROSHA rs10719 GG/TC+TT.

Research advances of Dicer in regulating reproductive function.

Dicer, an RNAse III endonuclease, is critical for the biogenesis of small noncoding RNAs (microRNAs), including the biogenesis of microRNAs and small interfering RNAs, which transcriptionally and post-transcription ally regulate mRNA expression through binding to target mRNA and leading to subsequent mRNA degradation. Recent studies show that Dicer plays important roles in cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. It has been attracted more and more attention in the reproductive field. In the male reproduction field, mouse model shows that Dicer is critical for the development of spermatogenic cell, sperm maturation, sperm motility and morphology. On the other hand, Dicer is broadly involved in not only follicular development, ovulation, luteinization, sex hormone synthesis, but also regulating the functions of the fallopian tube, endometrial receptivity in female reproduction. Since sperm and egg are the only two types of gametes for producing offspring, Dicer dysregulation may be the underlying cause of compromised embryo development through affecting the quantity or quality of sperm and eggs. Therefore, understanding the function of Dicer in reproduction of female and male is of great significance to study the pathogenetic mechanism related to dysfunctional reproduction, such as azoospermia and recurrent spontaneous abortion. We review the pivotal roles of Dicer in the male and female reproduction field in order to understand the relationship between Dicer and related disease.

[Survey on characteristics of menopause of Chinese women with the age of 40-60 years at gynecological clinic from 14 hospitals].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of menopause of Chinese women with the age of 40-60 years concerning gynecologic clinics in China. METHODS: From Mar.2008 to Sept.2008, a face-to-face questionnaire was conducted in gynecological clinic in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women in 14 hospitals in China, which included general demographic data, menstrual change process, climacteric symptoms and knowledge about menopause. Modified Kupperman index were used to evaluate climacteric symptoms during the recent week and awareness of hormonal replacement therapy were studied. RESULTS: A total of 1641 women were investigated. The ages of onset of menopause transition, climacteric symptoms and natural menopause were (47 ± 4), (46 ± 4), (49 ± 3) years old respectively. Climacteric symptoms could be found in 78.43% (1287/1641) women during menopausal transition, which were mainly mild to moderate symptoms. The top 5 symptoms were fatigue and weakness (71.48%, 1173/1641), irritability (68.68%, 1127/1641), insomnia (67.65%, 1110/1641), muscle and joint pain (64.11%, 1052/1641) and hot flush (57.90%, 950/1641). The climacteric symptoms were not constant during menopausal transition, usually more severe in late transition and postmenopausal periods, during which the moderate and severe symptoms were 59.1% (189/320) and 51.1% (291/570) respectively. Although most symptoms primarily appeared along with menstruation change, there are about 17.5% (172/981) patients experienced climacteric symptoms before menstruation change occurrence. There were 56.39% (733/1300) women had ever heard (mostly from gynecologist) about hormone replacement therapy from Obstetrician and Gynecologist. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the women during menopausal transition had climacteric symptoms, usually mild and moderate ones. Although most symptoms primarily appeared along with menstruation change, there are other patients' experienced climacteric symptoms before menstruation change occurrence.

[The expression of Caspase-3 in granulosa cells of endometriosis treated with mifepristone].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of mifepristone on the expression of Caspase-3 in the granulosa cells. METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley (SD) female rats with (230 +/- 20) g weight were divided into four groups, low-dose group with 1.04 mg/(kg x d) of mifepristone, middle-dose group with 2.604 mg/(kg x d) of mifepristone, high dose group with 10.4 mg/(kg x d) of mifepristone, as well as blank group. Mifepristone tablets were given through gastromy in diestrus of rat for four weeks. Rats were sacrificed after the treatment, and the the expression of Caspase-3 in the granulosa cells of developing follicles was detected by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The Caspase-3 protein expression was observed in granulosa cells of developing follicles, while the positive expression level and integrated optical density (IOD) value were increased along with the dosage of mifepristone increasing. The difference among the three dosage groups were significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Regulating Caspase-3 protein expression may be one of the ways for mifepristone inducing granulosa cell apoptosis.

[Comparison of ultrasound plus radiography versus computed tomography in the diagnosis of ectopic intrauterine devices].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of ultrasound plus radiography versus computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of ectopic intrauterine device (IUD) and analyze the ratio of cost and effectiveness (C/E) so as to provide scientific rationales for the selection of appropriate diagnostic methods. METHODS: A total of 70 cases were recruited from two major Chinese hospitals in 2009. They were examined with ultrasound plus radiography and CT respectively. The gold diagnostic criterion was postoperative diagnosis to compare the sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic index (DI), accuracy and C/E for different diagnostic methods. The SPSS 13.0 statistical analysis software was employed for data analysis. RESULTS: The data of 65 subjects were collected and analyzed. For ultrasound plus radiography, the sensitivity, specificity, DI, accuracy and C/E were 82.1%, 88.9%, 171.0%, 83.1% and 137.3 respectively. As for CT, the above indices were 96.4%, 55.6%, 152.0%, 90.8% and 170.7 respectively. CONCLUSION: Considering the higher levels of specificity and DI and a lower C/E, ultrasound plus radiography is superior to CT so that the former modality shall become a first-choice in the diagnosis of ectopic IUD, especially at the grass-root family planning service stations.

[Performance of desulfurizing absorbent of roasted navajoite].

An innovative flue gas desulfurization (FGD) coupling process was proposed in this study to overcome the problems in wet-type limestone/lime processes which include fouling, clogging, and difficulty of selling the by-products and the problems in traditional process for vanadium extraction from navajoite ore such as excessive consumption of sulfuric acid and emissions of pollutants. The performance of a jet bubbling reactor (JBR) at pilot-scale was evaluated using navajoite ore produced in the process of extracting vanadium pentoxide as desulfurization absorbent. Results showed that navajoite ore slurry achieved better desulfurization performance than limestone slurry. When the inlet flue gas pressure drop was 3.0 kPa, the gas flow was about 2350 m3 x h(-1) and the pH of the navajoite ore slurry was higher than 4.5, the desulfurization efficiency was stable about 90%. The SO2 removal efficiency appeared to increase along with the increasing of absorbent cycle-index. The efficiency of the second circulation was improved 3.5% compared to the first circulation. After an operating duration of 40 minutes, the leaching rate of vanadium pentoxide was about 20%, and reached 60% when the by-products were leached with 5% dilute sulfuric acid for 10 hours. The by-product from this process not only could be used to produce vanadium pentoxide which is a valuable industrial product, but also could significantly overcome the pollution problem existing in the traditional refining process of vanadium pentoxide when navajoite ore is used as the feed material. This FGD process using roasted navajoite slurry as absorbent is environmental sound and cost-effective, and shows the potential for application in the field of flue gas desulfurization as well as hydrometallurgy.

[Effect of weight on bone mineral density in ovariectomic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of weight on bone mineral density in ovariectomic rats. METHODS: Forty 6-month-old Wistar female rats were randomly divided into the sham surgical group and the ovariectomic group. The weights of the rats and the bone mineral densities and bone mineral contents of the femurs of the rats were measured eight weeks after the operations. RESULTS: The body weights of the ovariectomic rats increased significantly. The vaginal cytology of the ovariectomic rats showed no estrous cycle. The areas of the uterus transverse section of the ovariectomic rats deceased significantly. The depth of endometrium and its epithelia, and the area percentage of endometric gland of the ovariectomic rats were smaller than those of the sham surgical controls. There were no statistically differences in the BMD and BMC between the ovariectomic rats and the sham surgical controls. However, the BMC/weight ratio of the ovariectomic rats decreased significantly. The linear stepwise regression analysis indicated a positive correlation between BMC and body weight and a negative correlation between BMC and the weight differences pre- and post operations. The BMC/weight ratio also had a negative correlation with the weight differences. CONCLUSION: The osteoporotic animal model after ovariectomy has been successfully established. The certain increased body weight after ovariectomy may slow the lose of bone mass. But the over increasing in body mass lead to BMC/weight decling, caused by osteoporosis.

[Comparative study of effects of hormonal therapies on the healing of fracture in ovariectomized rats and Rats' endometria].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of Livial, Progynova and Premarin on osteoporosis associated with femoral fracture in rats, and assess these drugs' influnces on the rats' endometria in order to provide a therapeutic regiment appropriate for postmenopausal osteoporotic fracture. METHODS: Ninety 6-month-old SD female rats were randomly divided into five groups:SHAM, OVX, Livial, Progynova and Premarin. The osteoporotic model was established by ovariectomy except for Sham group. The right femur was broken by operation 8 weeks later. Livial, Progynova,Premarin tablets were given after operation respectively. The rats in five groups were killed at the end of 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks after operation respectively. The study indices included the histological appearance and histomorphometry of bone calluses, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and endometrium. RESULTS: There were more osteoclasts in OVX group than in other four groups,but no statistically significant differences in number of osteoblasts on the surface of osseous trabecula were seen among the five groups. The biggest area of trabecula was in Livial group while the smallest area was in Progynova group, especially at 4 weeks after operation. The hyperplasia of endometrium measured by morphometry was the same in the Progynova,Premarin groups as in Sham group, whereas it was not found in Livial group at 8 weeks postfracture. CONCLUSION: Estrogen is good for healing of postmenopausal osteoporotic fracture. The possible mechanism relevant to healing is that estrogen inhibits bone absorption, stimulates bone formation, reduces bone turnover and accelerates bone-remodeling. When compared against the treatment with estrogen alone, the treatment with combined sex hormones has better effects on fracture healing. Livial would not bring about endometrium hyperplasia.

[Influence of cryoprotectant with glycerol and freezing-thawing procedure on the motility of human sperm].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of cryoprotectant with glycerol and the freezing-thawing procedure on the motility of METHODS: The motion characteristics of human sperm from 18 selected specimens were assessed by computer-assisted human sperm. sperm analysis before and after adding hyper-osmolarity cryoprotectant with glycerol and the freeze-thaw procedure, and the data were evaluated in pairs. RESULTS: The adding of cryoprotectant caused an increase in the proportion of rapid linear motile sperms (P < 0.05) and sperm velocities, including VCL, VSL and VAP (P < 0.005). But no changes were observed in the proportion of progressively motile sperms and sperm motility. Compared with the data from pre-frozen samples, velocities of post-thawed sperms and the percentage of motile sperms in each grade significantly declined (P < or = 0.01), so did ALH, while WOB, LIN and STR remained unchanged (P > 0.05). Significant differences in ALH, WOB, LIN and STR were observed only in comparison between the post-thawed and pre-treated samples. CONCLUSION: The number of Grade a sperms and sperm velocity increased after adding hyper-osmolarity cryoprotectant with glycerol. The sperm motile potential was impaired and even entirely destroyed in some cases by cryodamage. The influences on the sperm motion were differently induced in freezing-thawing procedures.

[Effects of ovariectomy on fracture healing in female rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of ovariectomy on fracture healing in female rats. METHODS: Thirty-six 6-month-old female SD rats were divided into OVX group and SHAM group. The osteoporotic model was established by ovariectomy. The right femur was broken by operation at 8 weeks later. The rats were killed in batches at the end of 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks postoperatively for study. The examinations included the bone roentgenography, the histological appearance of bone calli and the biomechanical properties of right femur. RESULTS: The density of calli was decreased obviously in OVX group. The line of fracture existed in OVX group while the line of fracture was unclear or disappeared in SHAM. In the OVX group, there were cartilages at the early callus formation stage, and there were small-sized osteoblasts and increased number of osteoclasts on the surface of osseous trabecula. The osseous trabecula became thinner and disrupted obviously in OVX group, and it became massive, thicker and closer gradually 8 weeks after fracture in SHAM group. The area of osseous trabecula in the SHAM group was bigger than that in the OVX group. CONCLUSION: After ovariectomy, the absorption of bone prevails over osteogenesis, the osteoporotic changes occur, and the fracture healing is poor in quality.