Ultrasonography predicts the results of labial salivary gland biopsy in patients with suspected Sjögren's syndrome: a matrix risk model.

Objective: Although a positive result of labial salivary gland biopsy (LSGB) is critical for the diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatologists prefer assessing the non-invasive objective items and hope to learn the predicted probability of positive LSGB before referring patients with suspected Sjögren's syndrome to receive biopsy. This study aimed to explore the predictive value of combined B-mode ultrasonography (US) and shear-wave elastography (SWE) examination on LSGB results.

Methods: A derivation cohort and later a validation cohort of patients with suspected Sjögren's syndrome were recruited.

Endemic Variation of H9N2 Avian Influenza Virus in China.

Forty-two H9N2 subtype AIV strains were isolated from vaccinated commercial chickens in China from 2012 to 2015. Their HA genes had nucleotide sequence homology from 86.7% to 99.

Nanomechanical probing of the septum and surrounding substances on Streptococcus mutans cells and biofilms.

We report a unique bio-nanomechanical behavior at the septum (Z-ring) of Streptococcus mutans-containing biofilm through in situ measurements obtained by atomic force microscopy. A distinct serrated pattern on the releasing force-displacement curves can only be observed with the use of a sharp nanosized probe tip, and this was found at the septum of S. mutans.

Capillary-tube-based micro-plasma system for disinfecting dental biofilm.

Purpose: A low-temperature low-energy capillary-tube-based argon micro-plasma system was applied to disinfect Streptococcus mutans-containing biofilm.

Materials And Methods: The micro-plasma system uses a hollow inner electrode that is ignited by a radio-frequency power supply with a matching network. The energy content was analyzed using optical emission spectroscopy.