Roles of human periodontal ligament stem cells in osteogenesis and inflammation in periodontitis models: Effect of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by Porphyromonas gingivalis and other bacteria, and human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) are a promising candidate for the treatment of periodontal supporting tissue defects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2VitD3] on osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs in an in vitro periodontitis model and whether it can improve inflammatory status. hPDLSCs were in vitro isolated and identified. After treatment with 1,25(OH)2VitD3 and ultrapure pure Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS-G), the viability of hPDLSCs was detected using Cell Counting Kit-8, the expressions of osteogenic markers and inflammatory genes using Western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), the levels of inflammatory factors in cells using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the fluorescence signal intensity of osteoblastic markers and inflammatory genes in cells using immunofluorescence assay. It was found that 1,25(OH)2VitD3 reversed the inhibition of hPDLSCs proliferation by LPS-G; LPS-G exhibited inhibitory effect on ALP, Runx2, and OPN expressions, and such inhibitory effect was significantly weakened when co-acting with 1,25(OH)2VitD3. Meanwhile, LPS-G upregulated the expressions of inflammatory genes IL-1ß and Casp1, whereas 1,25(OH)2VitD3 antagonized such an effect and improved the inflammatory status. In conclusion, 1,25(OH)2VitD3 can reverse the inhibitory effect of LPS-G on hPDLSCs proliferation and osteogenic differentiation and suppress LPS-G-induced upregulation of inflammatory gene expressions.

Research on Task-Service Network Node Matching Method Based on Multi-Objective Optimization Model in Dynamic Hyper-Network Environment.

In order to reduce the cost of manufacturing and service for the Cloud 3D printing (C3DP) manufacturing grid, to solve the problem of resources optimization deployment for no-need preference under circumstance of cloud manufacturing, consider the interests of enterprises which need Cloud 3D printing resources and cloud platform operators, together with QoS and flexibility of both sides in the process of Cloud 3D printing resources configuration service, a task-service network node matching method based on Multi-Objective optimization model in dynamic hyper-network environment is built for resource allocation. This model represents interests of the above-mentioned two parties. In addition, the model examples are solved by modifying Mathematical algorithm of Node Matching and Evolutionary Solutions. Results prove that the model and the algorithm are feasible, effective and stable.

Nonalcoholic fatty pancreas disease: An emerging clinical challenge.

Nonalcoholic fatty pancreas disease (NAFPD) is an emerging disease that has gained an increasing amount of attention in recent years. It describes fat accumulation in the pancreas with insignificant alcohol consumption, but the pathogenesis is largely unknown. A wide range of terms have been used to describe the phenomenon of pancreatic fat accumulation, but NAFPD remains an under-recognized and non-independent disorder. Obesity, age, sex, race, and unhealthy lifestyle are established independent risk factors for NAFPD, which is strongly associated with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, pancreatitis, pancreatic fistula, pancreatic cancer, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. At present, imaging techniques are common diagnostic aids, but uniform criteria and consensus are lacking. Therapeutically, healthy diet, weight loss, and exercise are the mainstays to reduce pancreatic fat accumulation. It can be seen that there is a limited understanding of NAFPD at this stage and further exploration is needed. Previous studies have revealed that NAFPD may directly affect diagnosis and clinical decision-making. Therefore, exploring the pathophysiological mechanism and clinical associations of NAFPD is a major challenge for researchers and clinicians.

The association between smoking and loneliness among Chinese university freshmen.

BACKGROUND: In Chinese culture, smoking can promote social connectedness and integration. We therefore hypothesized that smoking would be negatively associated with loneliness in China. Given that loneliness is common and associated with adverse academic and health outcomes in university freshmen, examining correlates of loneliness in this population may deepen our understanding on the etiology of loneliness. This study investigated the association between smoking and loneliness in Chinese university fresh students. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, by using a two-stage cluster sampling approach, we recruited a total of 1,452 fresh students from a comprehensive university in Wuhan, China. These students completed a self-administered questionnaire containing the Chinese six-item De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale (DJGLS) and standardized questions on socio-demographics, internet use, and substance use, including smoking and use of alcohol and illicit drugs. Multiple linear regression was used to test the independent association of loneliness with smoking. RESULTS: In Chinese university freshmen, current smokers had significantly higher DJGLS scores than non-smokers (11.9±4.60 vs. 8.53±3.72, t=7.351, P<0.001). After controlling for socio-demographic variables, current drinking, lifetime illicit drug use, and daily hours of internet use, the positive association between current smoking and DJGLS score remained statistically significant (unstandardized coefficient: 3.053, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking is independently and positively associated with loneliness in Chinese university freshmen. Smoking cessation might be helpful for preventing and reducing loneliness among Chinese university fresh students.

Recycling experimental investigation on end of life photovoltaic panels by application of high voltage fragmentation.

With the rapid development of photovoltaic industry, the recycling of waste solar photovoltaic (PV) panels is becoming a critical and global challenge. Considering PV panels recycling is significantly effective and worthwhile to save natural resources and reduce the cost of production, how to selectively recycle valuable components of PV panels is the hot and dominant topic. Different from current mechanical crushing, heat treatment and chemical operation processes, novel and environment-friendly recycling approaches by using high voltage pulse discharge in water, called high voltage fragmentation (HVF), was discussed under different discharge conditions. The results showed that discharging across surface and interior of PV panels produced ablation round holes, sputter metal particles and dendritic channels. The average particle size decreased with the ascent of pulse number and voltage amplitude. Considering the energy consumption, the optimal condition of HVF in this paper was 160 kV for 300 pulses with the energy consumption of 192.99 J/g, crushing the PV panels into particles of 4.1 mm in average (13.7% of the initial size). More particle was distributed among the 0.1-2 mm size fractions as the energy increased. Selective fragmented products, such as Cu, Al, Pb, Ag and Sn, are concentrated on the fractions under 1 mm. Finally, hybrid crushing energy consumption model combined with fractal theory was discussed, which presented close relationship between energy and average particle size. Walker's model (n = 2.047 determined by fractal theory) had the best fitting effect.

[The treatment strategy of special distal landing zones in endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm].

OBJECTIVE: To study the assessment and management for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)'s special distal landing zones in endovascular repair (EVAR). METHODS: The clinic data of 66 AAA patients with complicated distal landing zones From January 2007 to December 2010 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 45 male and 21 female patients, aged from 53 to 87 years with a mean of 62 years. All patients underwent the CT angiography examination (1 to 2 mm interval) to obtain the necessary anatomical data. In this group, there were 20 cases with type I and IIA lesions, including 10 cases with narrow common iliac arteries/external iliac arteries (> 50%), 6 cases with seriously distorted common iliac arteries/external iliac arteries, 4 cases with the characters of the above, 16 cases with bilateral common iliac aneurysms, 46 cases with bilateral common iliac aneurysms combined internal iliac aneurysms (unilateral 32 cases, bilateral 14 cases). The vascular stent-grafts' usage was as follow: Metronic 46 cases, COOK 14 cases, Microport 4 cases, Lifetech 2 cases. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 90 min. There were significant stent-graft shortening in 22 cases (33.3%), type II endoleak in 18 cases (27.3%), type III endoleak in 5 cases (7.6%), iliac stents' stenosis (> 50%) in 2 cases (3.0%), type II combined with type III endoleak in 5 cases (7.6%), iliac stents' stenosis combined with type III endoleak in 4 cases (6.1%). Patients were followed for a mean of 22 months (range from 3 to 36 months), during the time of follow-up, the following conditions were observed: stent-graft displacement (to the remote < 10 mm) in 2 cases (3.0%), iliac stents restenosis (> 50%) 2 cases, type II endoleak healed in 18 cases (18/23, 78.3%), and no type III endoleak remained. The fatality rate was 3.0% (2/66). CONCLUSIONS: Special distal landing zones increased the operative complication rate in EVAR. Being familiar with the features of stent-graft and appropriate use of various surgical management can increase the success ratio of EVAR.