Successful treatment of nasopalatine duct cyst after maxillary anterior implant surgery: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Sporadic studies have reported the occurrence of nasopalatine duct cysts after maxillary anterior implant surgery, and the treatment methods still have clinical uncertainty. PURPOSE: We report a potential therapy method that successfully treated a nasopalatine duct cyst that developed and expanded one year after maxillary anterior implant placement following periodontally hopeless teeth extraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The nasopalatine cyst was treated surgically without removing implants. During flap surgery, the cyst was removed intact, and the exposed implant's surface was debrided thoroughly by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) rinsing, glycine air polishing, and saline rinsing. To deal with the significant bone defect caused by the cyst, a bovine porous bone mineral injected platelet-rich fibrin (BPBM-i-PRF) complex was applied to fill the defect, following a resorbable collagen membrane to cover. RESULTS: 7 years after surgery, no cyst recurrence was observed, and bone regeneration in the bone graft area was stable. The implants functioned well without mobility. CONCLUSIONS: For nasopalatine duct cysts associated with dental implant placement, complete surgical debridement and longitudinal stable bone regeneration are possibly accessible by regenerative surgery without implant removal.

Astragalus polysaccharide promotes sheep satellite cell differentiation by regulating miR-133a through the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.

Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) possesses extensive biological activities, pharmacological effects, and anti-fatigue function. MiR-133a is a specifically expressed miRNA in skeletal muscle that participates in the regulation of myoblast proliferation and differentiation. However, little is known about the role of APS in the development of sheep skeletal muscle. In this study, we aimed to investigate the underlying mechanism of APS and miR-133a on the differentiation of sheep skeletal muscle satellite cells (SMSCs) and the regulatory relationship between APS and miR-133a. The results suggested that APS plays a positive regulatory role in the proliferation and differentiation of sheep SMSCs. Moreover, miR-133a significantly promotes SMSC differentiation and the activity of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Importantly, we found that APS function requires the mediation of miR-133a in the differentiation of sheep SMSCs. Taken together, our results indicate that APS accelerates SMSC differentiation by regulating miR-133a via the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in sheep.

Seabuckthorn Reverses High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obesity and Enhances Fat Browning via Activation of AMPK/SIRT1 Pathway.

Seabuckthorn possesses various bioactive compounds and exhibits several positive pharmacological activities. The present trial aims to determine the effect of seabuckthorn powder intake on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity prevention in mice. The results suggest that seabuckthorn powder intake decreased body weight, fat mass, and circulating lipid levels, and improved insulin sensitivity in HFD-fed mice. Moreover, dietary seabuckthorn powder alleviated hepatic steatosis and hepatic lipid accumulation induced by the HFD. Furthermore, seabuckthorn exhibited obvious anti-inflammatory capacity in white adipose tissue (WAT) by regulating the abundance of inflammation-related cytokines, such as interleukins 4, 6, and 10; tumor necrosis factor α; and interferon-γ. More importantly, dietary seabuckthorn powder promoted a thermogenic program in BAT and induced beige adipocyte formation in iWAT in HFD-fed mice. Interestingly, we found that seabuckthorn powder effectively restored AMPK and SIRT1 activities in both BAT and iWAT in HFD-fed mice. Collectively, these results potentiate the application of seabuckthorn powder as a nutritional intervention strategy to prevent obesity and related metabolic diseases by promoting thermogenesis in BAT and improving beige adipocyte formation in WAT.

Toxoplasma gondii promotes microRNA-34a to inhibit Foxp3 expression in adverse outcomes of pregnancy in mice.

Infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) during the pregnant period causes microcephaly, mental and psychomotor retardation or death. Miserable outcomes are mainly linked with regulatory T cells (Tregs) dysfunction. Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), a vital regulator of establishment and maintenance of Tregs, can be modulated by microRNAs (miRNAs). Previously, our study revealed that T. gondii infection in pregnant mice induced Tregs dysfunction, accompanied with reduced Foxp3 expression. The role of miRNAs in the inhibition of Foxp3 triggered by T. gondii remains unclear. Herein, T. gondii infection promotes miR-34a expression in the placenta of mice. miR-34a mimic inhibits Foxp3 expression via targeting 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) whereas its inhibitor promotes Foxp3 expression in vitro. T. gondii antigens could enhance the activity of miR-34a promoter via a Smad4-dependent mechanism. Collectively, our data reveal a new avenue through which T. gondii inhibits Foxp3 expression necessary to drive adverse outcomes of pregnancy in mice.

Astragalus polysaccharide regulates brown adipocytes differentiation by miR-6911 targeting Prdm16.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a specialized tissue in mammals related to thermogenesis. The Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) is the major natural active component of Astragalus membranaceus, which has been recognized as one of the most popular herbal medicines worldwide. The role and possible mechanisms of APS on brown adipocytes differentiation is not well defined. Here, we explored the effect of APS on the differentiation of brown adipocytes in C3H10T 1/2 cells. The results showed that APS promoted the differentiation of brown adipocytes and improved insulin sensitivity along with significant increases in the expression of brown adipogenic marker proteins (C/EBPα, C/EBPß, and PPARγ), thermogenesis marker proteins (UCP1, PRDM16, and PGC-1α), and insulin sensitivity marker protein (GLUT4). Meanwhile, the results showed that the amount of the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (p-IRS1) and phospho-AKT (p-AKT) which are critical factors in the insulin signaling pathway was increased without changing the total amount of IRS and AKT. Furthermore, the results of RNA-seq showed that APS altered the expression profiles of various miRNAs, and among which the expression of miR-6911 as a universal regulatory factor was significantly decreased. Importantly, we found that miR-6911 regulated the differentiation of brown adipocytes by targeting PR domain-containing 16 (Prdm16). In addition, after transfection of miR-6911 mimics, compared with the control and inhibitor group, PRDM16 protein expression significantly decreased, which was accompanied by the decrease of PPARγ, UCP1, and PGC-1α. Collectively, our results indicated that APS regulated brown adipocytes differentiation in C3H10T 1/2 cells via miRNA-6911 targeting Prdm16.

The Role and Function of Regulatory T Cells in Toxoplasma gondii-Induced Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes.

Infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) during the pregnant period and its potentially miserable outcomes for the fetus, newborn, and even adult offspring continuously occur worldwide. People acquire infection through the consumption of infected and undercooked meat or contaminated food or water. T. gondii infection in pregnant women primarily during the gestation causes microcephaly, mental and psychomotor retardation, or death. Abnormal pregnancy outcomes are mainly associated with regulatory T cell (Treg) dysfunction. Tregs, a special subpopulation of T cells, function as a vital regulator in maintaining immune homeostasis. Tregs exert a critical effect on forming and maintaining maternal-fetal tolerance and promoting fetal development during the pregnancy period. Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), a significant functional factor of Tregs, determines the status of Tregs. In this review, we summarize the effects of T. gondii infection on host Tregs and its critical transcriptional factor, Foxp3.

Oral lichen planus induced by long-term use of antimicrobials for recurrent aphthous ulcer: A case report and literature review. / é•¿æœŸä½¿ç”¨æŠ—èŒè¯ç‰©æ²»ç–—å¤å‘æ€§å£è ”æºƒç–¡å¼•èµ·å£è ”æ‰å¹³è‹”è—“1ä¾‹å¹¶æ–‡çŒ®å¤ä¹ .

The precise etiology of oral lichen planus (OLP) is still unclear, but the existing evidence suggests that drug intake, virus infection, fungal infection, psychological disorders, and immunodeficiency are closely associated with the pathogenesis of OLP. We report a case of OLP accompanied with candidiasis induced by long-term use of antimicrobials for recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) and update the literature, to discuss the possible association between OLP and misuse of antimicrobials, and to inform general dentists and pharmacists the importance for practice with optimal antimicrobial stewardship. In this case, a 42-year-old man presented to Xiangya Stomatological Hospital with white reticular patterns spreading in the oral cavity for almost 1 year. He was diagnosed with OLP via histopathological examination. He had a 5-year history of RAU which occurred every 1-2 months, and he was given antimicrobials ingested or injected whenever the ulcers came up. Satisfactory treatment results were obtained by stopping the abuse of antimicrobials and local antifungal therapy. Meanwhile, the exacerbation and alleviation of OLP was closely related to the administration of antimicrobials. Combined with literature review, antimicrobial might contribute to the development of OLP by inducing candidiasis, a common side-effect of misuse of antimicrobials. Considering the seriousness of antimicrobial resistance and opportunistic infection, dentists should prescribe antimicrobials judiciously according to guidelines and evidence-based indications. Appropriate prescribing of antimicrobials is a professional responsibility to all dentists.

Melatonin Regulates Differentiation of Sheep Brown Adipocyte Precursor Cells Via AMP-Activated Protein Kinase.

In sheep industry, hypothermia caused by insufficient brown adipose tissue (BAT) deposits is one of the major causes of lamb deaths. Enhancing the formation and function of BAT in neonatal lamb increases thermogenesis and hence reduces economic losses. The aim of the present study was to explore the effect and mechanism of melatonin on sheep brown adipocyte formation and function. Sheep brown adipocyte precursor cells (SBACs) isolated from perirenal BAT were treated with melatonin (1 and 10 nM). The SBACs subjected to melatonin exhibited a decreased proliferation ability, accompanied by down-regulated proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cyclin D1, and CDK4 protein contents in a melatonin dose-dependent manner. Melatonin promoted brown adipocyte formation and induced the expression of brown adipogenic markers, including uncoupling protein 1 and PR domain-containing 16 during differentiation of SBAC. Moreover, the AMP-activated protein kinase α1 (AMPKα1) activity was positively correlated with brown adipocyte formation potential. Importantly, melatonin effectively activated AMPKα1. Furthermore, promotional effects of melatonin were abolished by AMPKα1 knockout, suggesting the involvement of AMPKα1 in this process. Collectively, these results suggested that melatonin enhanced brown adipocyte formation in SBACs in vitro through activation of AMPKα1.

Sparse Blind Deconvolution with Nonconvex Optimization for Ultrasonic NDT Application.

In the field of ultrasonic nondestructive testing (NDT), robust and accurate detection of defects is a challenging task because of the attenuation and noising of the ultrasonic wave from the structure. For determining the reflection characteristics representing the position and amplitude of ultrasonic detection signals, sparse blind deconvolution methods have been implemented to separate overlapping echoes when the ultrasonic transducer impulse response is unknown. This letter introduces the ℓ1/ℓ2 ratio regularization function to model the deconvolution as a nonconvex optimization problem. The initialization influences the accuracy of estimation and, for this purpose, the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) combined with blind gain calibration is used to find the initial approximation to the real solution, given multiple observations in a joint sparsity case. The proximal alternating linearized minimization (PALM) algorithm is embedded in the iterate solution, in which the majorize-minimize (MM) approach accelerates convergence. Compared with conventional blind deconvolution algorithms, the proposed methods demonstrate the robustness and capability of separating overlapping echoes in the context of synthetic experiments.

A Study on Determining Time-Of-Flight Difference of Overlapping Ultrasonic Signal: Wave-Transform Network.

An ultrasonic sensors system is commonly used to measure the wall thickness of buried pipelines in the transportation of oil and gas. The key of the system is to precisely measure time-of-flight difference (TOFD) produced by the reflection of ultrasonic on the inner and outer surfaces of the pipelines. In this paper, based on deep learning, a novel method termed Wave-Transform Network is proposed to tackle the issues. The network consists of two parts: part 1 is designed to separate the potential overlapping ultrasonic echo signals generated from two surfaces, and part 2 is utilized to divide the sample points of each signal into two types corresponding to before and after the arrival time of ultrasonic echo, which can determine the time-of-flight (TOF) of each signal and calculate the thickness of pipelines. Numerical simulation and actual experiments are carried out, and the results show satisfactory performances.

Toxoplasma gondii excreted-secreted antigens suppress Foxp3 promoter activity via a SP1-dependent mechanism.

Toxoplasma gondii excreted-secreted antigens (ESA) could result in adverse outcomes of pregnancy including abortion, stillbirth, foetal infection or teratogenesis in mice during early stage of pregnancy. Defective generation or function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) may account for those adverse pregnancy outcomes. Forkhead box p3 (Foxp3), which is the key transcriptional factor of Tregs, modulates its development and maintains inhibitory function. We previously demonstrated that ESA inhibited Foxp3 expression by attenuating transforming growth factor ß RII/Smad2/Smad3/Smad4 pathway. In this study, we propose to study the role of ESA on the activity of Foxp3 promoter and explore potential mechanisms. We demonstrated that ESA suppressed Foxp3 promoter activity using dual-luciferase reporter assay. ESA functioned at -443/-96 region of Foxp3 promoter to suppress its activity using truncated fragments of Foxp3 promoter. Further analysis revealed that suppressive role of ESA on Foxp3 promoter activity is related to specificity protein 1 (SP1). Transfection of expression plasmid of pcDNA3.1-SP1 could restore the down-regulation of Foxp3 induced by ESA. In conclusion, this study provides a new mechanism by which ESA could inhibit the Foxp3 promoter activity via SP1.

Arrival-Time Detection in Wind-Speed Measurement: Wavelet Transform and Bayesian Information Criteria.

The time-difference method is a common one for measuring wind speed ultrasonically, and its core is the precise arrival-time determination of the ultrasonic echo signal. However, because of background noise and different types of ultrasonic sensors, it is difficult to measure the arrival time of the echo signal accurately in practice. In this paper, a method based on the wavelet transform (WT) and Bayesian information criteria (BIC) is proposed for determining the arrival time of the echo signal. First, the time-frequency distribution of the echo signal is obtained by using the determined WT and rough arrival time. After setting up a time window around the rough arrival time point, the BIC function is calculated in the time window, and the arrival time is determined by using the BIC function. The proposed method is tested in a wind tunnel with an ultrasonic anemometer. The experimental results show that, even in the low-signal-to-noise-ratio area, the deviation between mostly measured values and preset standard values is mostly within 5 µs, and the standard deviation of measured wind speed is within 0.2 m/s.