Detection of K-ras gene mutation at codon 12 by pancreatic duct brushing for pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic value of endoscopic pancreatic duct brushing in detecting mutation of the K-ras gene at codon 12 in cytologic specimens from patients with pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Thirty-five patients treated at Changhai Hospital, Shanghai between 1999 and 2001 were enrolled. Their cells obtained by pancreatic duct brushing during endoscopic retrograde tholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were suspended with phosphate buffer solution (PBS). DNA of the cells was extracted and mutation of the K-ras gene at codon 12 detected by means of PCR-SSCP. RESULTS: The K-ras gene mutation rate of pancreatic cancer was 70%, which was higher than that of chronic pancreatitis (14%, P<0.05). K-ras gene mutation was not found in patients with pancreatic cystorcarcinoma and duodenum carcinoma. As to the location of pancreatic cancer, no significant difference was observed between the head, the body and tail. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy of pancreatic duct brushing in detecting pancreatic cancer was 70%, 94%, and 83%, respectively. CONCLUSION: K-ras analysis of pancreatic brushing samples is helpful in the diagnosis of patients with early pancreatic cancer.

The value of cytologic brushing with the aid of fiberoptic colonoscopy in the diagnosis of carcinoma of colon

Preoperative cytologic brushing and biopsy under direct Vision withfiberoptic colonoscopy(FC)and postoperative histopathologic examination wereperformed in 147 patients who were suspected of suffering from carcinoma of co-lon.In FC cytologic brushing,128 cases were positive for malignancy(87.1percent),18 false-negative(12.2 percent)and only one false-positive(0.7 percent).In the 146 FC biopsy specimens,124 were positive for malignancy(84 4 percent)and 22 false-negative and no false-positive.Combination of FC cytologic brushingwith FC biopsy could raise the diagnostic rate of colonic carcinoma to 95.2% anddecrease false-negative and false-positive because the two methods may replenisheach other in sampling and observation.Cytologic brushing is most valuable tothe early diagnosis of colonic carcinoma.When colonic stricture and obstructionprevent the colonoscope from reaching the lesion and FC biopsy cannot bedone,FC cytologic brushing is an effective method for diagnosis.The positiverate and false-negative rate of the cytologic brushing did not correlate to grosstyping,histopathologic typing and Dukes staging(P】0.05).The factorsinfluencing the correct diagnosis of colonic carcinoma by FC cytologic brushingare discussed in this paper.

Effects of Chairside Polishing and Brushing on SurfaceRoughness of Acrylic Denture Base Resins

The effects of 3 chairside polishing kits and mechanical brushing on the surface roughness of 3 different acrylic denture base resins were compared. Acrylic denture base resins （auto-polymerizing, heat-polymerizing, injected heat-polymerizing resins） were examined after a tungsten carbide bur, and after chairside polishing using 3 polishing kits and pumice. The specimens were subjected to mechanical brushing using a wear tester to simulate 30 000 strokes of brushing. The surface roughness of the acrylic denture base resin specimens was measured using a contact pro-filometer. After the test, the random polished acrylic resins were evaluated by scanning electron mi-croscopy （SEM） and atomic force microscopy （AFM）. Acrylic denture base resins polished using the 3 types of polishing kits had a smoother surface than those finished with the tungsten carbide bur （p〈0.05）. The surface of the resin polished by a TC cutter exceeded the Ra of 0.2 μm （p〈0.05）. The auto-polymerizing resin showed a significantly higher surface roughness than the heat-polymerizing resin and injected heat-polymerizing resin （p〉0.05）. In the case of polishing step wise, there was almost no change in surface roughness after brushing （p〉0.05）.

Statistical Evaluation of Anthropometric Measures and Oral Health Status in Terms of Diet, Smoking and Brushing Habits

Introduction and Objective: The aim of this research was to find out the interaction of anthropometric measurements particularly body mass and oral health status of Turkish young adult nationals regionally, depending on the effects of diet (food and fluid consumption), smoking and tooth brushing habits, which were determined by using the body mass index (BMI) and dental health index (DMFT). Material and Methods: The BMI and DMFT of 202 cases, with an age average 22.5 years, were recorded through physical and clinical examinations. Statistical evaluation of the data was checked by Cronbach’s Alpha Reliability Scale and performed by analysis of variance, Somer’s d and Pearson Chi-Square statistics, Poisson Regression and Odds Ratio analysis. Results: The results showed that the mean of BMI was at the optimum level (21.52) for all cases. The DMFT was higher for underweight females and for overweight males. The mean of DMFT according to sexes seemingly had no significant difference;however, females had 8.6% more DMFT than males. When the risk factors of dental caries were evaluated, the DMFT was found as 19.3% more for cases consuming high carbohydrate foods, 4.5% more for high beverage consumption and 18% more for smokers. Conclusions: In conclusion, tooth brushing 3 or more times a day is necessary to decrease the DMFT and tooth brushing 3 times a day as opposed to 1 or 2 times shows significant difference regarding oral health.

Nasopharyngeal brushing: a convenient and feasible sampling method for nucleic acid-based nasopharyngeal carcinoma research

Background:Tissue specimens for nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)research are scarce because of sampling dif-ficulties.Previous studies have suggested non-invasive nasopharyngeal brushing as an effective sampling method for NPC diagnosis.The present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of nasopharyngeal brushing in the acquisition of NPC nucleic acids for research.Methods:Nasopharyngeal brushing samples were acquired from 24 healthy individuals and 48 NPC patients.Tissues from 48 NPC and 18 nasopharyngitis patients were collected by endoscopic biopsy.The expression levels of tumor suppressor genes(TSGs)and Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)-encoded microRNAs as well as EBV DNA copy number were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in both types of samples.Results:Among six TSGs examined,the expression levels of two genes were significantly decreased in nasopharyn-geal brushing and tissue samples from NPC patients as compared with those from healthy/nasopharyngitis indi-viduals.Four EBV-encoded microRNAs,mir-bart1-5p,mir-bart5,mir-bart6-5p,and mir-bart17-5p,were significantly up-regulated in both NPC brushing and tissue samples compared with those from healthy/nasopharyngitis controls(P<0.001).EBV DNA was significantly increased in both nasopharyngeal brushing samples(P<0.001)and tissue sam-ples(P<0.001)from NPC patients in comparison with those from healthy controls.Conclusions:Nasopharyngeal brushing can obtain sufficient tumoral materials for the analysis of viral nucleic acid,including EBV-encoded microRNAs and EBV DNA.For the detection of TSG expression,nasopharyngeal brushings was feasible but inferior to tissue samples.This study confirms nasopharyngeal brushing as an applicable sampling method that can aid in nucleic acid-based NPC research.

Dual-functional poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline)/poly(2-(dimethylamine)ethyl methacrylate)mixed brushes with switchable protein adsorption and antibacterial properties

Herein,binary mixed brushes consisting of poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline)(PMOXA)and poly(2-(dimethylamine)ethyl methacrylate)(PDMAEMA)with different chain lengths were fabricated by successive grafting of NH_(2)-terminated PMOXA and SH-terminated PDMAEMA onto polydopamine-anchored substrates.The mixed-brush coating was characterized by variable-angle spectroscopic ellipsometry,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,zeta potential measurements,water contact angle,and atomic force microscopy.The mixed brushes showed tunable surface charge,wettability,and surface roughness,depending on the degree of PDMAEMA swelling under varying pH and ionic strength(Ⅰ).Then the adsorption behaviors of pepsin,bovine serum albumin(BSA),γ-globulin,and lysozyme,four very different proteins with regard to isoelectric point,on the mixed brushes coating were studied by using fluorescence microscopy and surface plasmon resonance.When the chain length of PDMAEMA was about twice as long as PMOXA,the mixed brushes not only had high adsorption capacity for pepsin,BSA,and y-globulin but also had a desorption efficiency of 86.9%,87.1%,and 93.5%,respectively.It is explained that electrostatic attraction between the protonated PDMAEMA and positively charged acidic proteins(pepsin and BSA,whose isoelectric points were below the pK_(a) of PDMAEMA)would drive the intensive adsorption(at pH 3,I=10^(-3)mol·L^(-1)for pepsin,and pH 5,I=10^(-5)mol·L^(-1)for BSA),while desorption was dominated by the hydrophilic PMOXA when PDMAEMA was shrinking(at pH 7,I=10^(-1)mol·L^(-1)for pepsin,and pH 9,I=10^(-1)mol·L^(-1)for BSA).Furthermore,the isoelectric precipitation led to the adsorption of neutral protein(γ-globulin,whose isoelectric point was near the pK_a of PDMAEMA)at pH 7,I=10^(-5)mol·L^(-1),while electrostatic repulsion and antifouling PMOXA triggered the desorption of y-globulin at pH 3,I-10^(-1)mol·L^(-1).However,alkaline protein(lysozyme,whose isoelectric point was higher than the pK_(a) of PDMAEMA)exhibited slight adsorption on PMOXA/PDMAEMA mixed brushes under test conditions,regardless of whether PMOXA or PDMAEMA occupied the outermost layer.The antibacterial property of the mixed brushes against Escherichia coli was investigated.PMOXA/PDMAEMA mixed brushes showed significant bactericidal activity at pH 3,I=10^(-3)mol·L^(-1),while the rinse of pH 9,I=10^(-1)mol·L^(-1)solution could remove most of the residual bacteria.This work not only enables controlled adsorption of proteins with different isoelectric points but also ensures that the surface of the coating is minimized from bacterial contamination.

How to Clean Your Sneakers

1 Mix warm water and a little detergent in a bowl.2 Take the shoelaces out of your sneakers.3 Brush the dirt from your sneakers with a brush.

口腔健康

The health of your teeth and gums affects your whole body.You should brush your teeth in the morning and before bed.Brushing them after you eat is also good.Remember to floss your teeth,too.Then your mouth will be clean,and your breath will be fresh!Since you use your toothbrush so often,be sure to get a new one every three months.

Brushing, Flossing Stave Off Diabetes

人类对人体奥秘的探索与了解尚处初级阶段。本文提出的一个问题就让我们感到新奇与愕然。洁齿与口腔卫生有助于抑制糖尿病: Gum(齿龈)disease may even be more important than obesity or age as a factorin the onset of diabetes in adults。 上句可译:就诱发成年人糖尿病的因素而言,齿龈疾病也许比肥胖和年龄这两个因素更为重要。 因此,我们有必要认识:the importance of prevention and early treatment ofgum disease in people who are at risk of developing diabetes。 本文对inflammation([医]炎症,发炎)提出了一个颇有原创性的观点:…heart disease has a substantial inflammatory component。】

ASK THE DOC Quick tips on avoiding over-brushing

What damage can be done to teeth by over-brushing?The enamel of the teeth ran he worn out;the gum can he hurt by over-brushing.And your teeth will feel sensitive if the enamel gets thinner and/or the gum recedes.How often should we be brushing our teeth?Two to three rimes a day.What is the recommended amount of time people should spend brushing their teeth?

Study of Optimal Parameters of Improved 1RX Regenerator

In this article, researches on improvement of 1RX regenerator used in cleaning processes of cotton ginning enterprises were carried out. The effect of changing the parameters of the new working body—rubber-plate drum and machine inlet on the efficiency of cotton separation was studied in the research, and the maximum level of efficiency of separation was determined. In this paper work, the main factors affecting the efficient operation of the regenerator were identified, their value limits were determined, and research was conducted using the mathematical planning method. As a result, effective operation of the improved 1RX cotton regenerator was observed at the value of the given factors, that is, the separation efficiency was 99.5%, the cleaning efficiency was higher than 88.7%, and the amount of seed cotton in the waste was reduced lower than 2.5%.

Challenges to associate early onset epilepsy with COVID-19 autoimmune encephalitis:A case

BACKGROUND Diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)-related neurological events in the pediatric population is challenging.Overlapping clinical picture of children with altered neurological state and inborn errors of metabolism,in addition to the frequency of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases,pose the main challenges for diagnosis.Diagnostic approaches to the onset post-COVID 19 subacute encephalopathy are still troublesome as seronegative autoimmune encephalitis(AIE)is reported.CASE SUMMARY A 27-mo-old boy was admitted for stormy refractory seizure of polymorphic semiology and altered mental status followed by various neuropsychiatric features that were suggestive of AIE.Brain magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis were normal.Neither the immunological assessment,including viral serologies,antinuclear antibodies,autoimmune antibodies(NMDA,AMPA,CASPR2,LG11,GABARB,Hu,Yo,Ri,CV2,PNMA2,SOX1,Titin,amphiphysin,Recoverin),nor the metabolic assessment for lactate and pyruvate showed significant anomaly.Both positive history of COVID-19 infection and the findings of characteristic repetitive extreme delta brush played a key role in the diagnosis of COVID-19-related AIE.A remarkable improvement in the state of the child was noted after two pulse doses of intravenous Veinoglobulin and high dose of intravenous Corticosteroid.CONCLUSION Diagnostic biomarkers for AIE might aid effective treatment.

Determining the Optimal Parameters of an Advanced Linter Machine

In this article, research was conducted to improve Linter machines that remove short fibers remaining in ginned cotton seeds at cotton ginneries. The study examined the effect of changing the dimensions of the brush drum, guide and mesh surface in the cleaning device proposed for the linting machine on the movement of the peg and the cleaning efficiency, and the highest level of efficiency in separating impurities from the peg was determined. During the study, the main factors influencing the effective operation of the improved linting machine were identified, the limits of their values were determined, and studies were carried out using the mathematical modeling method. As a result, at the values of the given coefficients, efficient operation of the improved linting machine was observed, that is, the lint cleaning efficiency reached 55.1%.

萧散淡泊 逸气古意——元代文人画“写意精神”美学内涵

中国画的发展需要传承和创新,又不能死守传统,但对于传统的绘画精神需要领会,切身实践。每一个时代需要对其以新的阐释,学习和解读传统元代文人画精神对于拓展当代中国画的时代精神具有实质性的价值,进一步贴近文脉,把握当代中国画发展方向。

多模式拉制微纳光纤

搭建了基于火焰加热法的微纳光纤拉制装置,通过软件控制,实现了3种模式下的微纳光纤拉制.基于传统的单边拉制和双边拉制,引入了Flame brush拉制方式,增加了火焰加热区域.根据测量结果优化了拉制模式中的参量,成功拉制出传输损耗、束腰直径及束腰长度均良好的微纳光纤.

Numerical Analysis of Tilted Cutting and F128 Brushes

Road sweeping is an essential service that has to be conducted for public health,as well as aesthetic purposes.In many countries,sweeping vehicles are used for this activity.They usually comprise a gutter brush that sweeps the debris that is located in the road gutter.This work studies the performance of two kinds of gutter brushes:a cutting brush and a flicking(F128)brush.This is carried out by means of a 3-D dynamic,nonlinear Finite Element(FE)brush model developed by the authors.In this model,inertia forces are applied to the bristle,and its clamped end is fixed.Consequently,the surface(road)is rotated,translated,and raised.Bristle-road interaction is modelled as flexible-to-rigid contact.In particular,the aim of this article is to compare the performance of a conventional brush and a brush rotating at variable speed.As brushes normally work tilted,FE analyses are carried out for tilted cutting and F128 brushes,rotating at speeds that fluctuate at different frequencies.It is concluded that brush oscillations have a significant effect on bristle tip velocities and bristle-road forces.Also,at certain frequencies,oscillations seem to improve sweeping performance of the F128 brush.However,they do not appear to improve significantly the performance of the cutting brush.

PHOTOTHERAPY OF GINGIVITIS:PILOT CLINICAL STUDY

The goal of this work was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Red Light Emitted Toothbrush(R-LETB)emitting at wavelength of 663 nm with power density of 3.3mW/cm2 in combination with 0.1%-methylene blue(MB)solution for the reduction of plaque and treatment of gingivitis.A microbiological in vitro study and a pilot clinical study were conducted.The microbiological study has shown total suppression of pathogenicflora after a 3-min exposure to the dye solution followed by a 20-sec treatment with the R-LETB.For the clinical study,37 subjects of both sexes with gingivitis were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of two groups.Subjects in thefirst(treatment)group were instructed to rinse their mouth with MB solution provided for 1 min and then brush the teeth with the R-LETB and standardized toothpaste.The second(control)group used only the toothpaste and a regular toothbrush.Subjects in both groups followed their respective procedures 2 times a day(morning and evening)for 30 days.Indices of plaque,gingival bleeding,and inflammation were evaluated at 14-day and 30-day timepoints.In the both groups,all indices improved in comparison with baseline.However,the treatment group demonstrated more pronounced improvement of the studied indices that was attributed to additional anti-microbial action of red light and MB on gum tissue.Thus,the use of R-LETB with MB appears to have a multifactor therapeutic action on oral pathological microflora:mechanical removal of the bacteria and suppressing action on microorganisms due to photodynamic reaction.

Sliding electrical contact behavior of AuAgCu brush on Au plating

The sliding electrical contact behavior of AuAgCu brush on Au plating was investigated at various normal loads and sliding speeds.The contact voltage drop and electrical noise between the two brushes were measured and the resistance waveforms were recorded.The morphologies of the worn surfaces and wear debris of the brush and plating were observed.The results show that the contact voltage drop and electrical noise decrease with the addition of load whereas increase drastically with increasing sliding speed.With the electrical current in vacuum,the wear process of AuAgCu brush on Au plating involves adhesion,transfer of gold from the plating to the brush,rolling of wear debris between contact surfaces and arc-induced melt at the contact edge,and this gold-on-gold sliding electrical contact system is reliable within experiment period.

Effectiveness of Oral Health Education Program on Prevention of Periodontal Disease in Japanese Pregnant Women

The prevalence of periodontal disease among pregnant women increases with gestational age. Therefore, oral health education in the early stage of pregnancy should prevent periodontal disease and decrease the risk of an adverse pregnancy outcome such as preterm delivery and low birth weight. However, there has been no study on oral health care intervention for prevention of periodontal disease during pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficiency of an oral health education program on periodontal disease among Japanese low-risk pregnant women. A total of 207 pregnant women before 20 weeks of gestation were recruited. The first 131 of them were assigned to the control group and the remaining 76 to the experimental group. The experiment participants received an oral health education program including the toothpick brushing method in their early stage of pregnancy. Improvement of the self-assessment score of periodontal symptoms was used as a binary outcome variable. A logistic regression analysis indicated that the intervention (OR = 3.83) and proficiency of the toothpick brushing method (OR = 24.93) were statistically significant predictors of the outcome in the late stage of pregnancy. The positive outcome appeared after practice of the toothpick method brushing for 20 or more weeks, and was associated with the decrease in the log-transformed proportion of the count of Candida species in salivary microbiota (p = 0.026).