Predicting the efficacy of donepezil intervention in Alzheimer's disease patients using regional homogeneity in the inferior orbitofrontal cortex.

Background: Although donepezil is a commonly used drug for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD), the mechanisms by which it affects patients' functional brain activity, and thus modulates clinical symptoms, remain unclear.

Methods: In the present study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) to investigate the effects of donepezil on local brain activity in AD patients. Resting-state functional MRI data were collected from 32 subjects: 16 healthy controls and 16 AD patients.

Clinical values of serum neuropeptide changes in patients with chronic urticaria complicated with allergic rhinitis.

Aim: Neurogenic inflammation has been recognized as an important contributing factor in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical values of substance P, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and neuropeptide Y as biomarkers of disease severity and treatment outcomes of chronic urticaria complicated with allergic rhinitis.

Methods: Our prospective study included 150 patients with chronic urticaria complicated with allergic rhinitis and 80 healthy control patients.

Structural characterization and anti-osteoporosis effect of an arabinomannan from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge.

To discover the polysaccharide with anti-diabetic osteoporosis (DOP) activity and clarify its structure, an arabinomannan (PAAP-1B) with a molecular weight of 14.0 kDa was isolated from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge. using column chromatography.

One-step microwave synthesis of red-emissive carbon dots for cell imaging in extreme acidity and light emitting diodes.

Red emissive carbon dots (R-CDs) have received great attention in biological fields due to their deep tissue penetrability, great bioimaging capability, low interference from auto-fluorescence, and potential for optoelectronic applications. Herein, excitation-independent, highly acid-sensitive R-CDs were successfully obtained one-step microwave treatment of -phenylenediamine (-PD) and phosphoric acid and carefully purified by column chromatography. The relationship between the fluorescence emission and surface groups of the R-CDs was studied in detail using XPS, NMR, and fluorescence spectroscopy, and the different mechanisms of action of the R-CDs and acid in HO and ethanol were determined.

Effects of Danggui-Shaoyao-San on depression- and anxiety-like behaviors of rats induced by experimental tooth movement.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of Danggui-Shaoyao-San (DSS) on depression- and anxiety-like behavior induced by experimental tooth movement (ETM) in rats.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into a sham group (n = 12; rats underwent all operation procedures, except placement of orthodontic forces, and received saline treatment), ETM group (n = 12; rats received saline treatment and ETM), and DETM group (n = 12; rats received DSS [dose: 150 mg/kg twice daily from preoperative day 5 to postoperative day 7] treatment and ETM). The vacuous chewing movement (VCM) test, open-field test, and elevated plus maze test were performed to assess the depression- and anxiety-like behaviors of the rats.

A pilot study of mandibular expansion in combination with a fixed-appliance for increasing the effective space of the mandibular arch: Finite element analysis and three-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography.

Techniques for enhancing the effective space of the mandibular arch are urgently needed. Therefore, this study aimed to perform mandibular expansion in combination with a fixed-appliance technique, with preliminary monitoring by finite element analysis and 3-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).Finite element models were structured according to CBCT images of a 14-year-old girl.

The efficacy and safety of acupuncture for perimenopausal insomnia: A protocol for a network meta-analysis.

Background: As a common symptom of perimenopausal period, perimenopausal insomnia brings great pain to many women and families. Acupuncture has been accepted by people as the incidence rate of this disease increases. The purpose of this study is to systematically compare the safety and efficacy of various acupuncture treatments for perimenopausal insomnia through network meta-analysis.

Efficacy of different designs of mandibular expanders: A 3-dimensional finite element study.

Introduction: Nonsurgical mandibular expansion has been increasingly performed in recent years because it can effectively expand the mandibular dental arch. However, many types of mandibular expanders have been used in previous studies. No relevant studies have compared the biomechanical responses of different designs of mandibular expansion appliances with screws.

MicroRNA-107 is a novel tumor suppressor targeting POU3F2 in melanoma.

Background: Melanoma is one of the major types of skin cancer. The metastatic melanoma is among the most lethal forms of malignant skin tumors. We hereby aimed to characterize a novel microRNA (miR) in the metastatic melanoma model.

A Network Pharmacology Approach to Determine the Active Components and Potential Targets of Curculigo Orchioides in the Treatment of Osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND Osteoporosis is a complex bone disorder with a genetic predisposition, and is a cause of health problems worldwide. In China, Curculigo orchioides (CO) has been widely used as a herbal medicine in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. However, research on the mechanism of action of CO is still lacking.

Effects of Danggui-Shaoyao-San on the Influence of Spatial Learning and Memory Induced by Experimental Tooth Movement.

Background: The pain caused by orthodontic treatment has been considered as tough problems in orthodontic practice. There is substantial literature on pain which has exactly effected on learning and memory; orthodontic tooth movement affected the emotional status has been showed positive outcomes. Danggui-Shaoyao-San (DSS) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine prescription that has been used for pain treatment and analgesic effect for orthodontic pain via inhibiting the activations of neuron and glia.

Isolation and multiple differentiation potential assessment of human gingival mesenchymal stem cells.

The aim of this study was to isolate human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from the gingiva (GMSCs) and confirm their multiple differentiation potentials, including the odontogenic lineage. GMSCs, periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and dermal stem cells (DSCs) cultures were analyzed for cell shape, cell cycle, colony-forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) and stem cell markers. Cells were then induced for osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation and analyzed for differentiation markers (alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralization nodule formation and Runx2, ALP, osteocalcin (OCN) and collagen I expressions for the osteogenic differentiation, and lipid vacuole formation and PPARγ-2 expression for the adipogenic differentiation).

[Association between small ubiquitin-related modifier-1 gene polymorphism and non-syndromic oral clefting].

Objective: To investigate the association between small ubiquitin-related modifier-1 (SUMO-1) gene rs6709162, rs7599810, rs7580433 polymorphism and non-syndromic oral clefting (NSOC).

Methods: Our study consisted of 208 Ningxia NSOC patients, their parents (189 fathers and 176 mothers), 172 nuclear families (patients and their parents), and 284 normal controls. DNA was extracted and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) was used to identify rs6709162, rs7599810, rs7580433 genotypes of the samples.

Association between MSX1 variants and oral clefts in Han Chinese in western China.

Previous animal and association studies have shown that the MSX1 gene is associated with oral clefts. Our aim was to investigate association between variants in the MSX1 gene and oral clefts in a Han Chinese population. Our study group consisted of 206 nonsyndromic oral cleft (NSOC) nuclear families (including the patients and their parents) and 224 controls.

[Association between interferon regulatory factor 6 gene polymorphism and non-syndromic oral clefting].

Objective: To investigate the association between interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6) gene polymorphism and non-syndromic oral clefting (NSOC).

Methods: Experimental group consisted of 186 Ningxia NSOC patients, their parents (183 fathers and 174 mothers), 172 core families (patient+parents), and control group consisted of 200 normal children. DNA was extracted and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to identify the genotypes of the samples, case-control analyses and transmission-disequilibrium test (TDT) were carried out.

[Comparison of efficacy between nateglinide and repaglinide in treating type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial].

Objective: To compare the efficacy of nateglinide with repaglinide in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Forty-six type 2 diabetic patients were randomly treated with repaglinide (group A, 1.0 mg tid, n=23) or nateglinide (group B, 90.

[Antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase in patients with Graves disease].

Objective: To investigate the level and clinical implication of antibodies to glutamic acid in patients with Graves disease.

Methods: ELISA and RIA were used to determine the decarboxylase (GADAb) levels of GADAb, thyroglobulin antibodies (TGAb), thyroidperoxidase antibodies(TPOAb), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4) before and after treatment in the patients with Graves disease not yet complicated by diabetes mellitus and in the healthy volunteers as controls. Then the relations of GADAb to FT3, FT4, TGAb and TPOAb were detected.

[The associations of HLA-DQB1 gene with onset age and autoantibodies in type 1 diabetes].

Objective: To evaluate the associations of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DQB1 gene with onset age and autoantibodies in type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM) in Chinese Han population in Sichuan area.

Methods: Forty-six type 1 diabetic patients and 52 healthy control subjects were involved in this study. HLA-DQB1 typing was performed by polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer(PCR-SSP).

[Gliquidon induced-desensitization of pancreatic beta cells and the partial reversion of responsiveness after the desensitization of exposure to drug in normal and STZ type 2 diabetic rats].

Objective: To test if gliquidone (gli) induces beta cells desensitization as other sulfonylurea (Su) and the features of the reversion of responsiveness.

Methods: An obese type 2 diabetic (DM2) rat model was developed, for which low dose streptozocin (STZ, 25 mg/L) was injected i.p.

[Spectrophotometry determination of roxithromycin based on charge transfer reaction].

A spectrophotometric method for the determination of Roxithromycin has been developed based on the charge transfer reaction between Roxithromycin as donor and cresol red as acceptor. The conditions of reaction have been studied. The reaction time, reaction temperature, reaction medium and the concentration of reagent was ten min, 35 degrees C, alcohol-acetone solution and 6 x 10(-4) mol.

[Short-term effects of cyclosporine A on the function of pancreatic islet cells in normal and spontaneous diabetic Chinese hamsters].

Objective: To examine the effects of low dose (25-100 ng/ml) CsA on the hormonal secretion of the pancreatic islet cells isolated from normal and spontaneously inherited diabetic Chinese hamsters.

Methods: A modified kanatsuna and Knudsen's column perifusion system was developed. The secretions of Insulin (Ins) and glucagon (Glc) of the cultured islet cells responding to the glucose stimulations were tested after pretreated with different doses of CsA for 24 hours.

[Molecular scanning of candidate mtDNA gene fragment in diabetic pedigrees].

Objective: To explore novel pathogenic mutation in the mitochondrial DNA gene in diabetic pedigree.

Methods: Twenty-eight suspected mitochondrial DNA diabetic families were recruited. The gene fragment was produced by PCR, and mutation was detected by direct sequencing.