Maciasshields5271

The data of hair density and hair diameter in the Asian population, especially in Thais, are limited. We aimed to evaluate hair density and hair diameter of members of the Thai population at different scalp sites and to determine the effect of sex and aging as well as to compare the results with those in groups of other ethnicities. Healthy Thais whose hair examination findings were normal were evaluated. Two hundred and thirty-nine subjects participated in this study, of whom 79 were male and 160 were female. Hair density and hair diameter were analyzed at four different scalp sites using quantitative trichoscopic analysis. The highest hair density in Thais was observed in the vertex area. Hair densities at four different scalp sites were significantly different from one another; only hair density at the vertex site showed no significant difference from that in the occipital area. In contrast, hair diameter did not show any statistically significant differences for the different sites. We observed decreased mean hair density with increasing age and found statistically significant differences between participants in their 20s and those in their 60s, while hair diameter remained consistent. Comparing our results with a previous study in other ethnicities, the hair densities in Asians are generally lower. In conclusion, hair density in the Thai population varies at different scalp sites. Aging is a factor in declining hair density. Asians have a lower hair density compared to Caucasian and African populations. Copyright © 2020 Kanchana Leerunyakul and Poonkiat Suchonwanit.ELK3, an ETS domain-containing transcription factor, participates in various physiological and pathological processes including cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and malignant progression. However, the role of ELK3 in prostate cancer cells and its mechanism are not fully understood. The contribution of ELK3 to prostate cancer progression was investigated in the present study. We showed that silencing of ELK3 by siRNA in prostate cancer cell DU145 induced S-M phase arrest, promoted apoptosis, inhibited cell proliferation and migration in vitro, and suppressed xenograft growth in mice in vivo. In accordance with its ability to arrest cells in S-M phase, the expression of cyclin A and cyclin B was downregulated. In addition, the expression of p53 was upregulated following ELK3 knockdown, while that of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 was decreased. The migration inhibition may partly due to upregulation of SERPINE1 (a serine protease inhibitor) followed ELK3 knockdown. Consistently, downregulation of SERPINE1 resulted in a modest elimination of migration inhibition resulted from ELK3 knockdown. Furthermore, we found that the AKT signaling was activated in ELK3 knockdown cells, and treatment these cells with AKT inhibitor attenuated SERPINE1 expression induced by ELK3 silencing, suggesting that activation of AKT pathway may be one of the reasons for upregulation of SERPINE1 after ELK3 knockdown. In conclusion, modulation of ELK3 expression may control the progression of prostate cancer partly by regulating cell growth, apoptosis, and migration. Copyright © 2020 Yuanshen Mao et al.It is an interesting clinical phenomenon that when evaluating the erectile function of men with erectile dysfunction by couples, respectively, using the erectile hardness model, there will exist the evaluation difference between men and their female partners. This phenomenon reflects the problem of communication and cognition between husband and wife in ED patients. To explore the influencing factors associated with this clinical phenomenon, we conducted this interesting, observational, and cross-sectional field survey. We enrolled 385 couples from the andrology clinics of the first affiliated hospital of Anhui Medical University from December 2017 to December 2018. The demographic data of couples, the medical history, sexuality and the characteristics of ED, and anxiety and depression of the couples were collected through face-to-face interview and questionnaires. The couples were divided into two groups containing 238 couples and 147 couples, respectively. We divided couples into difference group including t also the gap of couples can be restored which is the best result of the ED treatment. Copyright © 2020 Jingjing Gao et al.Objective To explore the ability of asiatic acid to interfere with the invasion and proliferation of breast cancer cells by inhibiting WAVE3 expression and activation through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Methods The MDA-MB-231 cells with strong invasiveness were screened by transwell assay, and plasmids with high expression of WAVE3 were constructed for transfection. The transfection effect and protein expression level of plasmids were verified by PCR and WB. The effects of asiatic acid on cell proliferation and invasion were investigated by flow cytometry. The xenografted tumor models in nude mice were established to study the antitumor activity of asiatic acid. Results Asiatic acid significantly inhibited the activity of MDA-MB-231 cells, and the expression level of WAVE3 increased significantly in the tissue of ductal carcinoma in situ and was lower than that in the metastasis group. After plasmid transfection, the mRNA and protein expression of WAVE3 increased significantly in the cells. Asiatic acid at different concentrations had an impact on cell apoptosis and invasion and could significantly inhibit the expression of WAVE3, P53, p-PI3K, p-AKT, and other proteins. The T/C(%) of asiatic acid (50 mg/kg) for MDA-MB-231(F10) xenografted tumor in nude mice was 46.33%, with a tumor inhibition rate of 59.55%. Asiatic acid could significantly inhibit the growth of MDA-MB-231 (F10) xenografted tumors in nude mice (p less then 0.05). Conclusions Asiatic acid interferes with the ability of breast cancer cells to invade and proliferate by inhibiting WAVE3 expression and activation and the mechanism of action may be related to the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Copyright © 2020 Xiao-jun Gou et al.Objective To determine the influence of the home bleaching agent, Opalescence PF, on the surface roughness and microhardness of glazed glassy matrix CAD-CAM ceramics. Materials and Methods. The 28 sintered leucite- and lithium disilicate-reinforced ceramic specimens (IPS Empress CAD and IPS e.max CAD) were divided into control and bleached groups. The home bleaching agent was applied to specimens of bleached groups for 7 days. The surface roughness and microhardness of all specimens were measured. A scanning electron microscope was used to evaluate the surface properties. The data were statistically analyzed by two-way ANOVA. Results The control e.max CAD showed the lowest surface roughness values. For both Empress and e.max CAD, surface roughness was significantly higher for the bleached group (p less then 0.05). No significant differences in microhardness were observed. Conclusions According to our study, patients should be careful when using home bleaching agents because whitening agents can affect the mechanical properties of full ceramic restorations like e.max CAD and Empress CAD. Ceramic polishing may be required in clinical situations where ceramic restorations are accidentally exposed to bleaching gels. Copyright © 2020 Necla Demir et al.The DIERS formetric 4D provides a safe method to monitor and track the progression of postural deformities over time. However, further evaluation of reliability is necessary. Reference values are also needed to indicate postural change. The current study examined the reliability of spine shape parameters produced by the formetric 4D in adults without postural abnormalities and established reference values to determine when real change occurs. Thirty participants were scanned during 1 week. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated for 40 spine shape parameters for scans with participants stationary between scans, scans with repositioning between scans, and between days. Within-day and between-day standard error of measurement (SEM), absolute relative SEM, and smallest detectable change (SDC) were reported. ICC for stationary scans was excellent for 29 parameters, good for 10 parameters, and fair for 1 parameter. With repositioning, ICC was excellent for 27 parameters, good for 12 parameters, and fair for 1 parameter. Between days, ICC was excellent for 26 parameters, good for 10 parameters, and fair for 4 parameters. Within-day SEM% was greater than 10% for 6 parameters. Within-day SDC ranged from 1.80 to 25.03 units for a single scan and from 0.97 to 17.93 units for 6 scans. Between-day SEM% was greater than 10% for 9 parameters. Between-day SDC ranged from 1.44 to 28.24 units for a single scan and from 1.05 to 22.2 units for 6 scans. Thirty-six of the 40 spine shape parameters from the DIERS formetric 4D reliably distinguished between participants over time. SU1498 Reference values were established that can be used to track patient postural change over time. Future research should investigate the clinical relevance of these 40 spine shape parameters and determine when a clinically important change in posture occurs. Copyright © 2020 Brian F. Degenhardt et al.Purpose Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) carries a high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Both serum fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) and bile acid concentrations are associated with T2DM and HCC. We aimed at evaluating the relationships between FGF19 and bile acid concentrations and HCC in patients with T2DM. Methods Twenty-seven healthy volunteers (control group), 27 patients with T2DM (T2DM group), 16 patients with newly diagnosed HCC (HCC group), and 10 T2DM patients with newly diagnosed HCC (T2DM-HCC group) were studied at the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University between June 2016 and June 2017. The serum concentrations of serum FGF19 and total bile acids (TBA) were measured in all the participants. Correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis of the FGF19 and TBA concentrations were performed in all the participants and in the four groups. Results The concentrations of FGF19 were 220.5 pg/ml, 185.1 pg/ml, 115.8 pg/ml, and 70.4 pg/ml in the HCC, T2DM-HCC, control, and T2DM groups, respectively (p less then 0.001), and the TBA concentrations were 21.75 μmol/l, 14.25 μmol/l, 14.25 μmol/l, 14.25 μmol/l, 14.25 p less then 0.001), and the TBA concentrations were 21.75 r = 0.777; p less then 0.001), and the TBA concentrations were 21.75 r = 0.777; p less then 0.001), and the TBA concentrations were 21.75 r = 0.777; p less then 0.001), and the TBA concentrations were 21.75 r = 0.777; p less then 0.001), and the TBA concentrations were 21.75 r = 0.777; p less then 0.001), and the TBA concentrations were 21.75 . Conclusions Simultaneous increase of serum FGF19 and TBA levels may be used as indicators of HCC screening at early stage in patients with T2DM. Copyright © 2020 Yi Sun et al.Salbutamol (SBAL), a kind of short-acting beta 2-adrenergic agonist, has been mainly used to treat bronchial asthma and other allergic airway diseases clinically. In this study, the interaction mechanism between salbutamol and human serum albumin was researched by the multispectral method and molecular docking. The fluorescence intensity of HSA could be regularly enhanced with the increase of SBAL concentration. Both the results of the multispectral method and molecular docking showed that SBAL could bind HSA with van der Waals force and hydrogen bonds. The binding mechanism was further analysed by UV-Vis and synchronous fluorescence spectra. The contents of the secondary structure of free HSA and SBAL-HSA complex were evaluated using CD spectra. Copyright © 2020 Ting Zhao et al.