Characterisation of the complete mitochondrial genome, genetic diversity and maternal origin of Huainan Partridge chicken.

1. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the complete mitochondrial genome, genetic diversity and maternal origin of Huainan Partridge chicken (HPC).2. One complete mitochondrial genome and 37 complete D-loop regions of HPC were sequenced. Moreover, 400 mitochondrial genome D-loop sequences of Chinese native chicken were downloaded from the National Centre for Biotechnology Information database.3. The complete HPC genome was 16,785 bp in size, including 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and one non-coding control region. The haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity of HPC were 0.964, and 0.00615, respectively. Twenty-three variable sites defining 22 haplotypes were identified, and the 22 haplotypes were distributed into three haplogroups (A, B, and C).4. In conclusion, HPC has a typical vertebrate mitochondrial genome, relatively high haplotype diversity, relatively low nucleotide diversity, and potentially three maternal lineages. HPC showed considerable genetic information exchange with Southwest Chinese chicken populations and had not admixed with European commercial breeds in the course of domestication.

Long-chain non-coding RNA Linc00888 promotes the proliferation and migration of esophageal cancer cells by downregulating miR-34a expression.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role and potential mechanism of long-chain non-coding RNA 00888 in esophageal cancer (EC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression level of Linc00888 in esophageal cancer tissues and adjacent ones, as well as corresponding cell lines, was measured by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Survival prognosis information of patients was collected, and KM survival analysis was performed to determine the prognostic value of Linc00888. To better understand the effect of Linc00888 on the proliferative and migration ability of EC cells, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), clone formation, and transwell assays were performed after Linc00888 was knocked down in EC cell lines. Furthermore, bioinformatics prediction website was used to discover the potential target of Linc00888. Then, Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to verify the binding relationship between Linc00888 and the downstream gene miR-34a. Then, the expression relationship between the two was measured both in cell lines and tissues. Finally, to clarify the regulation between Linc00888 and miR-34a, a recovery experiment was performed using co-transfection technology. RESULTS: Linc00888 was aberrantly upregulated in esophageal cancer tissues. The survival analysis showed that the higher expression of Linc00888 was significantly correlated with shorter overall survival. Cell functional experiment results suggested that Linc00888 played a role in promoting tumor proliferative and migration ability in EC cells. Besides, Dual-Luciferase reporter genes assay indicated that miR-34a and Linc00888 had binding sites. Meanwhile, we confirmed that there was a negative correlation between the expression levels of miR-34a and Linc00888 in cells and tissues. Cellular functional recovery experiments revealed that Linc00888 could modulate the progression of EC by miR-34a. CONCLUSIONS: Linc00888 promotes the proliferative and migration ability of EC through miR-34a.

Large Isospin Asymmetry in

ß-delayed one-proton emissions of ^{22}Si, the lightest nucleus with an isospin projection T_{z}=-3, are studied with a silicon array surrounded by high-purity germanium detectors. Properties of ß-decay branches and the reduced transition probabilities for the transitions to the low-lying states of ^{22}Al are determined. Compared to the mirror ß decay of ^{22}O, the largest value of mirror asymmetry in low-lying states by far, with δ=209(96), is found in the transition to the first 1^{+} excited state. Shell-model calculation with isospin-nonconserving forces, including the T=1, J=2, 3 interaction related to the s_{1/2} orbit that introduces explicitly the isospin-symmetry breaking force and describes the loosely bound nature of the wave functions of the s_{1/2} orbit, can reproduce the observed data well and consistently explain the observation that a large δ value occurs for the first but not for the second 1^{+} excited state of ^{22}Al. Our results, while supporting the proton-halo structure in ^{22}Al, might provide another means to identify halo nuclei.

LncRNA HAGLR exacerbates hepatocellular carcinoma through negatively regulating miR-6785-5p.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HAGLR in exacerbating the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by targeting microRNA-6785-5p (miR-6785-5p). PATIENTS AND METHODS: HAGLR levels in 46 HCC tissues and paracancerous tissues were detected. The relationship between HAGLR level and clinical features of HCC patients was analyzed. After knockdown of HAGLR, proliferative, and metastatic potential changes in Bel-7402 and Hub7 cells were assessed. Thereafter, the interaction between HAGLR and miR-6785-5p, as well as the involvement of miR-6785-5p in HAGLR-regulated HCC phenotypes were finally determined. RESULTS: It was found that HAGLR level was higher in HCC tissues than paracancerous ones and correlated with rates of lymphatic metastasis and distant metastasis but not with age, gender, and tumor staging in HCC patients. Survival analysis uncovered that HAGLR level was negatively linked to overall survival in HCC. After knockdown of HAGLR, proliferative, and metastatic potentials in Bel-7402 and Hub7 cells were attenuated. MiR-6785-5p was proven as the target gene binding to HAGLR. It was lowly expressed in HCC species, and negatively correlated with HAGLR level. Moreover, rescue experiments demonstrated that miR-6785-5p was responsible for HAGLR-regulated HCC phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA HAGLR stimulates proliferative and metastatic potentials in HCC via negatively regulating miR-6785-5p level, thus exacerbating the development of HCC.

LncRNA FAM83A-AS1 aggravates the malignant development of esophageal cancer by binding to miR-495-3p.

OBJECTIVE: It is of significance to screen out differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that can be utilized as tumor biomarkers in esophageal cancer. This study aims to uncover the effect of lncRNA FAM83A-AS1 on regulating migratory potential in esophageal cancer and the underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Tumor tissues and adjacent normal ones were collected from 62 esophageal cancer patients for detecting FAM83A-AS1 levels. Correlations of FAM83A-AS1 with clinical indexes and overall survival of esophageal cancer patients were analyzed. Thereafter, regulatory effects of FAM83A-AS1 on migratory potential in OE19 and OE33 cells were examined by transwell and wound healing assay. Then, the target genes of FAM83A-AS1 were predicted and functionally analyzed, and a protein interaction network was constructed. Finally, the mechanism of FAM83A-AS1 in regulating the downstream gene miR-495-3p was analyzed through Luciferase assay and rescue experiments. RESULTS: It was found that FAM83A-AS1 was upregulated in esophageal cancer tissues and cell lines. Higher rates of lymphatic and distant metastasis and worse survival were observed in esophageal cancer patients expressing higher level of FAM83A-AS1. Besides, the knockdown of FAM83A-AS1 suppressed migratory potential in OE19 cells, while the overexpression of FAM83A-AS1 yielded the opposite trend in OE33 cells. Moreover, miR-495-3p was indicated to be the target gene binding FAM83A-AS1, and it was lowly expressed in esophageal cancer and negatively regulated by FAM83A-AS1. Furthermore, the overexpression of miR-495-3p partially abolished the regulatory effect of FAM83A-AS1 on migratory potential in esophageal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: FAM83A-AS1 is upregulated in esophageal cancer, and it stimulates migratory potential in esophageal cancer by negatively regulating miR-495-3p.

The function and molecular mechanism of CEP55 in anaplastic thyroid cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the role of centrosomal protein of 55 kDa (CEP55) in anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) and to further explore the mechanism, which might provide a new molecular marker for treatment of ATC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression level of CEP55 in clinical cases was tested by fluorescence quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Also, qRT-PCR assay was performed in different TC cell lines. The relationship between CEP55 expression and clinicopathological characteristics was statistically analyzed. Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox's proportional hazards regression model were performed in survival analysis. Further, Western blot assay was used to analyze the protein expression changes in PI3K/Akt pathway. RESULTS: The expression level of CEP55 in TC tissues showed a noticeable upgrade, especially in ATC. In vitro, CEP55 expression was also increased in four kinds of TC cells, in which, the highest expression was found in ATC (TA-K) cells. The clinicopathological features, including lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and prognostic index were found to be correlated with the expression level of CEP55. Besides, the ATC patients with higher expression of CEP55 had a statistically worse overall survival (OS) time. In univariate analyses and multivariate analyses, the CEP55 level was an independent prognosis index of patients with ATC. In vitro study, CEP55 protein expression level was significantly reduced in si-CEP55-transfected TA-K cells. Notably, the downregulation of CEP55 could suppress the phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that CEP55 could promote ATC progression, and PI3K/AKT pathway might be the downstream target of its action. These results provided a new therapeutic direction for the treatment of ATC.

Positive-Parity Linear-Chain Molecular Band in

An inelastic excitation and cluster-decay experiment ^{2}H(^{16}C,^{4}He+^{12}Be or ^{6}He+^{10}Be)^{2}H was carried out to investigate the linear-chain clustering structure in neutron-rich ^{16}C. For the first time, decay paths from the ^{16}C resonances to various states of the final nuclei were determined, thanks to the well-resolved Q-value spectra obtained from the threefold coincident measurement. The close-threshold resonance at 16.5 MeV is assigned as the J^{π}=0^{+} band head of the predicted positive-parity linear-chain molecular band with (3/2_{π}^{-})^{2}(1/2_{σ}^{-})^{2} configuration, according to the associated angular correlation and decay analysis. Other members of this band were found at 17.3, 19.4, and 21.6 MeV based on their selective decay properties, being consistent with the theoretical predictions. Another intriguing high-lying state was observed at 27.2 MeV which decays almost exclusively to ^{6}He+^{10}Be(∼6 MeV) final channel, corresponding well to another predicted linear-chain structure with the pure σ-bond configuration.

Inhibition of α-enolase affects the biological activity of breast cancer cells by attenuating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at exploring the role of α-enolase (ENO1) in proliferation, invasion, and cell apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer human cells, to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group (Control group), negative control group (negative control virus, NC group), and shENO1 (sh1, sh2, and sh3) group, respectively. The expressions of ENO1 mRNA and protein were measured by Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Cell proliferation, cell invasion ability, and cell apoptosis rate were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, transwell invasion assay, and flow cytometer, respectively. The expressions of the proteins correlated with phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway were analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS: In MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, the gene and protein expressions of ENO1 in the three sh groups in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells were significantly lower than those in control group and NC group. In MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, the gene and protein expressions of ENO1 in the three sh groups were significantly lower than those in control group and NC group. Compared with NC group, the proliferation activity, invasion ability, and apoptosis rate of shENO1 group were significantly decreased (p < 0.01). PI3K and Akt protein levels in shENO1 group were significantly downregulated (p < 0.01). Bcl-2 protein expression was markedly upregulated (p < 0.01), meanwhile Bax protein revealed a significant reduction (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed that silencing ENO1 reduced proliferation activity, invasion ability, and apoptosis rate of breast cancer cells by decreasing the phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt pathway. Our results suggested that ENO1 may be a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer.

Circ_0091579 promotes proliferative ability and metastasis of liver cancer cells by regulating microRNA-490-3p.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of Circular RNA 0091579 in the progression of liver cancer (LCa) and its molecular mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect circ_0091579 expression levels in LCa tissues and adjacent tissues, which was further verified in LCa cells and normal liver epithelial cells. After circ_0091579 was knocked down in Huh7 and HepG2 cells, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), plate cloning and transwell assays were performed to verify the effect of circ_0091579 on cell proliferative ability and metastasis of LCa cells. The starBase database was used to search for microRNAs that could interact with circ_0091579, and the Dual-Luciferase reporter gene was used to verify their binding relationship. RESULTS: circ_0091579 was highly expressed in HCC and HCC cells. In vitro experiments showed that down-regulation of circ_0091579 expression could remarkably inhibit the proliferative ability and metastasis of HCC cells. Bioinformatics software predicted the binding sites between circ_0091579 and microRNA-490-3p, and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed the binding relationship between circ_0091579 and microRNA-490-3p. qPCR results showed that microRNA-490-3p was remarkably down-regulated in LCa tissues. In vitro experiments confirmed that overexpression of microRNA-490-3p inhibited the proliferative ability and metastasis of HCC cells. CONCLUSIONS: circ_0091579 is abnormally highly expressed in LCa tissues and cells. Down-regulation of circ_0091579 can inhibit the proliferative ability and metastasis of HCC cells by regulating microRNA-490-3p, thus accelerating the progress of the tumor.

[Expression and significance of STOX1 in villi and placenta at different stages of normal gestation].

Objective: To investigate the expression and significance of STOX1 in different stages of gestation villi and placenta. Methods: Totally 137 cases of normal villi and placenta of pregnant women were collected from the Department of Obstetrics of Shanghai Pudong Hospital from October 1(st) 2015 to February 28(th) 2018, including 64 cases of early pregnancy (early pregnancy group) which consists of 32 cases of 5-7(+6) weeks gestation (early pregnancy group A) and 32 cases of 8-11(+3) weeks gestation (early pregnancy group B), 28 cases of 14-26 weeks gestation(middle pregnancy group) and 45 cases of 37-41 weeks gestation (late pregnancy group). The expression and localization of STOX1 mRNA and protein in placenta were evaluated by RT-qPCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results: (1)STOX1 was positively expressed in the cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts as well as interstitial and vascular endothelial cells of all groups. (2)STOX1 mRNA expression in each group was significantly different (P<0.05), the lowest was in the early pregnancy group A(0.007 8±0.000 4), which increased along with the progression of gestational age(P<0.05),and reached the highest level in the third trimester(0.064 4±0.001 3). (3)The protein level of STOX1 in different stages of normal pregnancy was 0.53±0.20 in early pregnancy group A;0.62±0.37 in early pregnancy group B;0.70±0.03 in middle pregnancy group and 0.81±0.04 in late pregnancy group respectively; which was positively related with the progression of gestational age (P<0.05). Conclusion: The expressions of STOX1 is gradually increasing along with the normal pregnancy progression, suggesting that it might be involved in proliferation, differentiation and infiltration and (or) apoptosis of trophoblast cells and the development of the placenta.

Assessment of sexual activity and menopausal symptoms in middle-aged Chinese women using the Menopause Rating Scale.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess sexual activity and menopausal symptoms in middle-aged Chinese women and to correlate this with their vaginal maturation status (VMS). Methods: 120 women aged 45-60 years were assigned to four groups: premenopause (Pre-M), perimenopause (Peri-M), early postmenopause (Post-EM), and late postmenopause (Post-LM). The menopausal symptoms were assessed using the Menopause Rating Scale. VMS was determined using the vaginal maturation index (VMI) and pH value. Sexual activity including sexual frequency and distress was measured using self-administered questionnaires. Results: A high proportion (48.2%) of Post-LM women reported low sexual frequency, and a high proportion (24.2%) of Peri-M women reported sexual distress. Physical/mental exhaustion and sexual problems were the most prevalent symptoms, followed by sleeping problems and hot flushes/sweating rated as severe or very severe. Physical/mental exhaustion and sexual problems became more frequent as menopausal stages progressed (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Hot flushes/sweating was more prominent in women in the Peri-M and Post-EM groups. The Post-LM group exhibited lower VMI and higher pH values than the Pre-M and Peri-M groups (p < 0.017 and p < 0.001, respectively), and pH was positively correlated with sexual problems (r = 0.298, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Advancing menopausal status is associated with prevalent physical/mental exhaustion and sexual problems in middle-aged Chinese women. Hot flushes/sweating is among the most frequent menopausal symptoms rated as severe or very severe. In addition, urogenital symptoms are correlated with pH in these women.

[The role of Smad signaling pathway in the repair of mucosal epithelium in chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps and without nasal polyps].

Objective:To evaluate the differences in CRS and normal subjects between chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polys (CRSsNP) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polys (CRSwNP) in the role of TGF-ß-Smad pathways in the repair of mucosal epithelium.Method:Ethmoidal mucosal samples collected from CRS and healthy control patients were analyzed for TGF-ß1, TGF-ß receptorⅠ,TGF-ß receptor Ⅱ, Smad3, phospho-Smad3, Smad7, and Smad anchor for receptor activation by Western blot. The proliferation of sinonasal epithelial cells at baseline after TGF-ß1 and/or EGF stimulation was evaluated by the MTT assay.Result:In CRSsNP,TGF-ß1,TGF-ß receptorⅠ,TGF-ß receptor Ⅱ and Smad3 protein levels were significantly higher than controls. In CRSwNP, TGF-ß1, Smad3 and pSmad3 protein levels were significantly lower than controls. Smad7 protein was significantly higher in CRS than controls. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the baseline proliferation levels of sinonasal epithelial cells were lower in CRS than controls.Conclusion:CRSwNP is characterized by a lower level of TGF-signaling compared with the control. In CRSsNP, although the upstream signaling of TGF-ß was enhanced, over expression of Smad7 protein may restrain the downstream signaling components (e.g., pSmad3) and the TGF-ß antiproliferative effect on sinonasal epithelium. The difference in the local tissue concentration of TGF-ß1 between CRSsNP and CRSwNP patients did not show significant differences in epithelial proliferation.

The recovery effect of proanthocyanidin on microtensile bond strength to sodium hypochlorite-treated dentine.

AIM: To evaluate the recovery effect of proanthocyanidin (PA) on microtensile bond strength (µTBS) to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl)-treated dentine. METHODOLOGY: Fifty-five freshly extracted third molars with intact dental crowns, no caries or restorations were sectioned to expose a sound middle layer of dentine and were randomly divided into 11 groups. In the blank control group, dentine surfaces were immersed in deionized water for 20 min. In the negative control group, dental surfaces were immersed in 5.25% NaOCl for 20 min. In the other nine experimental groups, after immersion for 20 min in 5.25% NaOCl, followed by PA (5%, 10%, or 15%) treatment for 1, 5 min or 10 min. The NaOCl solution was renewed every 5 min. Then dentine surfaces were bonded using SE bond. Bonded samples were sectioned into dentine-resin sticks (n = 45) for microtensile bond strength testing (MPa). Failure modes were observed and classified into three types with a stereomicroscope. Microtensile bond strength data were analysed using one-way anova. The confidence interval test was performed to analyse the recovery effect of PA on bond strength to NaOCl-treated dentine. The chi-squared test was used to analyse failure mode distribution. RESULTS: After use of 5.25% NaOCl for 20 min, microtensile bond strength in the negative control group decreased significantly compared with that of the untreated group (P < 0.05). After a recovery treatment of 10% PA for 10 min or 15% PA for more than 5 min, the bond strength was restored to at least 90% of baseline (P < 0.05). No recovery effect on bond strength was detected after the application of 5% PA for 1 min (P > 0.05). Adhesive fracture was found to be the most common failure mode in the NaOCl-treated group. After the recovery application of PA, the proportion of mixed failures increased significantly (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Microtensile bond strength to NaOCl-treated dentine recovered after the application of either 5% PA for more than 5 min or 10% or 15% PA for more than 1 min. The application of PA before an adhesive procedure may immediately restore the compromised bond strength of NaOCl-treated dentine.

[The effect of the nasal packing material on nasal epithelial cells].

Objective:The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of polyethylene glycol acrylate hybrid hydrogel degradation substance on nasal mucociliary transport system. Method:In our experiment, the complex hydrogel were formed by the combination of different ratios of polyethyleneglycol diacrylate, chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol. The experiment was divided into four groups according to the international standard of medical devices. DMEM/F12∶BEGM culture medium was used for each packing material extraction, DMEM/F12∶BEGM culture medium was used as control. Human nasal uncinate tissue, gas liquid interface culture of human nasal mucociliary epithelium cells. The high frequency digital microscope video imaging system was used to detect the ciliary wiggle frequency. The baseline state (0 min) and 1 h,1 d, 2 d, 3 d of CBF were measured after dosing. Result:①In the experimental group and the control group, with the increase of the number of days, the ciliary beat frequency increased first and then slowed down. ②Compared with the other groups, Polyethylene glycol acrylate hybrid hydrogel group increase on CBF (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the maximum increase and the maximum decrease in B, C and D groups (P>0.05). Therefore, it can be concluded that absorbable gelatin sponge material and absorbable chitosan material had no effect on nasal mucociliary activity. Conclusion:Polyethylene glycol diacrylate composite hydrogel material can increase the frequency of ciliary wounded nasal mucosa epithelial cells cultured in air-liquid interface in vitro, and enhanced the activity of nasal mucosa cilia. Therefore, it can meet the safety requirements of clinical application of the new material.

[The role of MAPK signaling pathway in the repair of mucosal epithelium in chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps and without nasal polyps].

Objective:To evaluate the differences between CRS and normal subjects and between chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polys(CRSsNP) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polys(CRSwNP) in the regulation of EGF pathways and the regulating proliferative position of MAPK pathways.Method: We evaluated the proliferation rates of ethmoidal mucosal cells before and after stimulation with EGF,epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) kinase inhibitor AG1478, and extracellular signalregulated kinase1/2(ERK1/2) inhibitorPD98059 using MTT assays.We also analyzed the sinonasal epithelial cells collected from control subjects and patients with CRS subtypes CRSsNP and CRSwNP for the expression of ERK1/2,phosphorylated ERK1/2 using western blot analyses.Result:The proliferation rates of sinonasal epithelial cells before and after EGF stimulation were lower in CRS patients than in the controls.AG1478 or PD98059 inhibitor treatment of control epithelial cells did not result in a significant difference in proliferation.Although,AG1478 and PD98059 inhibited the proliferation of CRS cells, the level of proliferation inhibition was markedly different in CRSsNP.AG1478 suppressed the proliferation of CRSwNP epithelial cells, whereas PD98059 had no effect.The ratio of ERK1/2 phosphorylation in CRS cells was lower than that of the control cells.Conclusion:MAPK classical pathway and other pathways might be active at the same time to stimulate epithelial cell proliferation in CRSsNP. When the classical pathway was blocked in CRSwNP, some other pathway could have completely compensated the proliferation.

[Cleaning efficacy of different solvents on sealer-contaminated dentin surface].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of an epoxy resin-based sealer on the bond strength of adhesive resins to dentin and the cleaning efficacy of different solvents in removing sealer residues. METHODS: The occlusal enamel of 25 freshly extracted human third molars without caries were removed to expose flat surfaces of dentin. The teeth were randomly divided into five groups according to the treatment received: For negative control group, the dentin surfaces were not contaminated with AH-Plus; For the other 4 experimental groups, the samples were contaminated with AH-Plus for 5 min and different measures were taken: For positive control group, the sealer were wiped with dry cotton pellets; For solvents experimental groups: cotton pellets saturated with 95% (volume fraction) ethanol, 99.5% (volume fraction) acetone or 99% (volume fraction) amyl acetate were used to wipe the sealer until the surface appeared clean when viewed through a stereomicroscope under ×10 magnification, then rinsed with de-ionized water for 3 s. After sealer removal, a self-etching adhesive system was applied on the surfaces with resin composite. The samples were sectioned into 1.0 mm×1.0 mm stick specimens (n=45) for microtensile test. Failure modes at the dentin-resin interface were observed using a stereomicroscope. The samples were sectioned into 1.0 mm piece specimens (n=4) for scanning electron microscope observation. The microtensile bond strength data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Chi-square test were used to analyse the failure modes between the groups. RESULTS: There was significant difference among the five groups (P<0.001). For dry cotton pellet group (38.69±8.60) MPa and the ethanol group (37.14±12.01) MPa, the microtensile bond strength significantly declined when compared with negative control group (43.86±7.99) MPa (P<0.05). No significant difference of bond strength was found between the dry cotton pellet group and the ethanol group (P=0.426). There was no statistical significant difference among acetone group, amyl acetate group and negative control group (P>0.05). The bond strength of acetone group and amyl acetate group were (45.94±10.37) MPa and (43.99±7.01) MPa, respectively. The ethanol group exhibited lower bond strength than that of acetone group and amyl acetate group (P<0.05). Scanning electronic microscope observation revealed that in dry cotton pellet group and ethanol group, the resin tags were short and loose. Moreover, sealer residues were identified in the interface in the ethanol group samples, while the resin tags in the acetone and amyl acetate group were as dense and uniform as in negative control group. The distribution of failure modes showed no significant difference in the five groups (P=0.086). CONCLUSION: The microtensile bond strength of dentin to composite resin was lower after exposure to sealer. Compared with ethanol and dry cotton pellets, the cleaning effect of acetone and amyl acetate on sealer-contaminated dentin surface were better.

Evaluation of the subjective efficacy of nasal surgery.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate subjective symptom changes in obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnea syndrome patients following nasal surgery, and to explore treatment efficacy in improving patient quality of life. METHODS: Patients with nasal blockage accompanied by habitual snoring were stratified into four groups. Their subjective symptoms were evaluated before and after nasal surgery. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the nasal blockage symptom visual analogue scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Snore Outcomes Survey, Spouse/Bed Partners Survey and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 20 scores for all patients at six months after surgery. The visual analogue scale score for subjective olfactory function was significantly improved in the severe obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnea syndrome patient group. CONCLUSION: Nasal surgery can effectively improve the subjective symptoms of patients with simple snoring accompanied by nasal blockage and of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnea syndrome, thus improving their quality of life.

[Different posterior decompression for patients with spinal canal stenosis in the upper thoracic and cervical spine].

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively investigate the clinical manifestation of patients with spinal stenosis in the upper thoracic and cervical spine by posterior decompression in different ways. METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2015, 18 patients of that complicated phenomenon were studied in Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University.Ten patients received one-stage combined decompression (group A); while the other 8 received multi-stage posterior decompression(group B). The Visual analogue scale (JOA), thoracic Cobb and range of motion(ROM) were compared. RESULT: No statistically significant inter-group difference existed in preoperative JOA score[(9.1±2.6)vs (9.1±2.2)]and postoperative JOA score[(15.4±1.2)vs(13.8±4.5)], but the mean recovery rate of nerve function of group A(79%±15%)is better than that of group B(69%±34%). CONCLUSION: All the approaches are effective for the treatment of patients with spinal stenosis in the upper thoracic and cervical spine, while one-staged combined decompression was better than double-staged operation.