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    These results suggest an association of anti-Hsp70 antibody with periodontitis.This study compared shrinkage strain, polymerization shrinkage kinetics, and degree of conversion (DC) of a set of resin composites and investigated their influencing factors. Ten commercial resin composites were assessed, and 5 specimens (n = 5) were developed for material and subjected to light curing using light emitting diode light at 650 mW/cm2 for 40 s. The laser triangulation method was adopted to assess the shrinkage strain, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to measure DC. The shrinkage strain was monitored for 5 min in real time and its data were subjected to differential calculations to get the shrinkage strain rate curve with respect to time, obtaining the maximum shrinkage strain rate (Rmax) and gel time. The values of shrinkage strain varied from 1.28% to 2.10%. The Rmax values were between 5.17 μm/s and 21.83 μm/s. Gel time values varied from 3.08 s to 4.32 s. The DC yielded values ranging from 53.62% to 87.01%. The values of polymerization shrinkage and DC were dependent on the composition of materials, including the monomer matrix and filler system. Compared to the micro-filler materials, the nano-filler resin composites had higher values of DC. Some resin composites are suitable for clinical applications because of their superior polymerization shrinkage properties and DC.Orexins (Oxs) are multifunctional neuropeptides, secreted from the lateral hypothalamus, that stimulate feeding behavior and energy expenditure. In this study, the direct effects of Oxs on the membrane properties of trigeminal motoneurons (TMNs) were examined, which critically participate in the genesis of rhythmical oral motor activities underlying suckling and mastication. Sprague-Dawley rats (3-6 day-old) were used to obtain whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from TMNs. Bath application of Ox-A depolarized the membrane potential and induced inward current, wherein Na+ and Ca2+ were charge carriers. Transient receptor potential channel activation potentially contributed to current and voltage responses by way of Ox-A. Ox-A increased the peak amplitude and duration at half-amplitude of the medium-duration after hyperpolarization following the action potential. The interspike frequency of steady-state firings during repetitive discharge was increased, along with a shift in the frequency-current relationship occurring toward the left. Extracellular and intracellular Ca2+ were involved in regulating modulatory effects, but a requisite level of intracellular Ca2+ was not essential for Ox-induced upregulation of the interspike frequency. Ox-A also enhanced conditional bursting induced by N-methyl-d-aspartate and 5-HT, suggesting it participates in modulating TMNs’ discharge patterns during various oral motor activities.This study aimed to compare the sensitivity of radiographs and flat-panel volume-computed tomography (fpVCT) in detecting the remaining root-canal filling material. Thirty-two root canals in extracted human mandibular molars were prepared and obturated with gutta-percha and sealer. The filling material was removed, and the teeth were split longitudinally. Radiographs and fpVCT scans were obtained and digitized. Selleckchem Camptothecin Virtual images were developed using reconstruction software and then superimposed, and the remaining filling material was outlined. Direct observation of the split root halves using flatbed scans served as a control. The presence and extension of the remaining filling material were evaluated. Statistical analysis was conducted using chi-squared test (P less then 0.05). A total of 116 remnants were detected in the flatbed scans, 81 in the fpVCT scans, and 90 in the radiographs, with no significant difference between the radiograph (78%) and fpVCT (70%) results (P = 0.18). In the fpVCT scans, 42% of the remnants exhibited the same dimensions as the control, whereas 27% appeared larger and 30% appeared smaller. In the radiographs, the dimensions of the remnants were identical to the control in 64% of cases, smaller in 29%, and larger in 7%. FpVCT did not exhibit better performance than dental radiographs in detecting the remaining root-canal-filling material the extension of remnants was indicated correctly in the fpVCT in fewer than 50% of the samples.Background Differences between resting full-cycle ratio (RFR) and diastolic pressure ratio (dPR) have not been sufficiently discussed. This study aimed to investigate if there is a difference in diagnostic performance between RFR and dPR for the functional lesion assessment and to assess if there are specific characteristics for discordant revascularization decision-makings between RFR and dPR.Methods and ResultsA total of 936 intermediate lesions in 776 patients who underwent measurements of fractional flow reserve (FFR), coronary flow reserve (CFR), and the index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) were retrospectively studied. Physiological indices were measured from anonymized pressure recordings at an independent core laboratory. Both RFR and dPR measures were highly correlated (r=0.997, P less then 0.001), with equivalent diagnostic performance relative to FFR-based decision-makings measured by using a dichotomous threshold of 0.80 (accuracy, 79.7% vs. 80.1%, respectively, P=0.960). The rate of diagnostic discordance was 4.7% (44/936), with no RFR-/dPR+ lesions observed. An overall significant difference in FFR and CFR values were detected among RFR/dPR-based classifications. The prevalence of positive studies was significantly higher for RFR than dPR (54.3% vs. 49.6%, respectively, P=0.047) when using the cut-off value of 0.89. Conclusions Both RFR and dPR were highly correlated, but the prevalence of positive studies was significantly different. The revascularization rate may differ significantly according to the resting index used.Previously, we revealed that neurotensin (NTS) derived from the oviduct and uterus can function during fertilization. However, little is known about NTS actions on the pre-implantation embryo after fertilization. Here, we found that pro-Nts mRNA is expressed in the oviduct and uterus during when preimplantation embryos develop and an increase in mRNA level in the uterus is induced by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment. Expression of mRNA for two NTS receptors, Ntr1 and Ntr3, was found throughout these stages, whereas Ntr2 mRNA was not detected, suggesting that NTS signaling occurred through NTR1 and NTR3. Supplementation of 1, 10, 100 or 1000 nM NTS to embryo culture medium after fertilization showed that 100 nM NTS significantly improved the blastocyst formation. In comparison, the total number of cells and inner cell mass ratio of blastocysts was not significant different between the 0 nM and 100 nM NTS treatment groups. These results indicate that NTS has a positive effect upon preimplantation embryo development in vitro.