Evaluation of the accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography image segmentation of isolated tooth roots based on the dynamic threshold method.

Objective: Accurate quantification of the root surface area (RSA) plays a decisive role in the advancement of periodontal, orthodontic, and restorative treatment modalities. In this study, we aimed to develop a dynamic threshold-based computer-aided system for segmentation and calculation of the RSA of isolated teeth on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to assess the accuracy of the measured data.

Method: We selected 24 teeth to be extracted, including single-rooted and multi-rooted teeth, from 22 patients who required tooth extraction.

Impact of posttransplant cyclophosphamide on the outcome of patients undergoing unrelated single-unit umbilical cord blood transplantation for pediatric acute leukemia.

Background: Umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) from unrelated donors is one of the successful treatments for acute leukemia in childhood. The most frequent side effect of UCBT is peri-engraftment syndrome (PES), which is directly associated with the greater prevalence of acute and chronic graft-versus-host-disease (aGvHD and cGvHD). In haploidentical stem cell transplantation, posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY) has been demonstrated to be an effective method against GvHD.

A pyruvate kinase deficiency child with novel PK-LR gene mutations was successfully cured by matched unrelated donor peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

Background: Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a PK-LR gene mutation. Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is an effective cure for PKD. However, the experience of applying HCT in PKD is limited.

Prediction, management, and prognosis of mixed chimerism after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in transfusion-dependent pediatric thalassemia patients.

Background: Early-onset mixed chimerism (MC) with a high proportion of residual host cells is considered a signal of graft rejection in patients undergoing allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for transfusion-dependent thalassemia. In order to prevent graft rejection and minimize the risk of treatment-related graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), we established a hierarchical management system based on chimerism analysis.

Method: This retrospective study provides a comprehensive review of the characteristics, interventions, and outcomes of the 38 patients who developed MC after transplantation among the 144 pediatric thalassemia patients between July 2007 and January 2019 at our center.

Priming effect of root-applied silicon on the enhancement of induced resistance to the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola in rice.

Background: Silicon (Si) can confer plant resistance to both abiotic and biotic stress. In the present study, the priming effect of Si on rice (Oryza sativa cv Nipponbare) against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne graminicola and its histochemical and molecular impact on plant defense mechanisms were evaluated.

Results: Si amendment significantly reduced nematodes in rice roots and delayed their development, while no obvious negative effect on giant cells was observed.

Sub-optimal Specificity of Modified Ziehl-Neelsen Staining for Quick Identification of Tuberculous Meningitis.

Microbiological confirmation of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) remains problematic. We assessed the diagnostic performance of a modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN) staining method that showed promise in earlier studies. Patients evaluated for TBM in Shaanxi province, China, were prospectively enrolled from May, 2011 to April, 2013.

Mutations in Acetylcholinesterase2 (ace2) increase the insensitivity of acetylcholinesterase to fosthiazate in the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita.

The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita causes severe damage to continuously cropping vegetables. The control of this nematode relies heavily on organophosphate nematicides in China. Here, we described resistance to the organophosphate nematicide fosthiazate in a greenhouse-collected resistant population (RP) and a laboratory susceptible population (SP) of M.

High rate of drug resistance among tuberculous meningitis cases in Shaanxi province, China.

The clinical and mycobacterial features of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) cases in China are not well described; especially in western provinces with poor tuberculosis control. We prospectively enrolled patients in whom TBM was considered in Shaanxi Province, northwestern China, over a 2-year period (September 2010 to December 2012). Cerebrospinal fluid specimens were cultured for Mycobacterium tuberculosis; with phenotypic and genotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST), as well as genotyping of all positive cultures.

Homeobox B7 promotes the osteogenic differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells by activating RUNX2 and transcript of BSP.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a reliable cell source for tissue regeneration. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the directed differentiation of MSCs remain unclear; thus, their use is limited. Here, we investigate HOXB7 function in the osteogenic differentiation potentials of MSCs using stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs) and bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs).

[Mechanism of ING4 mediated inhibition of the proliferation and migration of human glioma cell line U251].

Aim: To investigate the effect of Ad-ING4 on proliferation and migration of glioma cells and explore its probable mechanism.

Methods: U251 were infected with Ad-ING4. ING4 gene expression was evaluated by RT-PCR.

Nerve growth factor expression in astrocytoma and cerebrospinal fluid: a new biomarker for prognosis of astrocytoma.

Background: Recent studies have discovered that nuclear translocation of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptor fragments function differently from the traditional model. This study aimed to uncover the nuclear expression of NGF in astrocytoma and its biological significance.

Methods: Ninety-four paraffin-embedded astrocytoma specimens were subjected to immunohistochemical (IHC) and hemotoxylin & eosin (HE) staining.