Differentially Expressed Genes in EEC and LMS Syndromes.

Ectrodactyly ectodermal dysplasia cleft lip/palate (EEC) syndrome and limb-mammary syndrome (LMS) share a similar phenotype and the same pathogenic gene, which complicates the ability to distinguish between these diagnoses. The current study aims to identify a potential and practical clinical biomarker to distinguish EEC from LMS.Two EEC pedigrees and one LMS pedigree that have been previously reported were reanalyzed. After confirmation of the causative mutations for these new patients, whole-genome expression microarray analysis was performed to assess the molecular genetic changes in these families.Five new patients with classic symptoms were reported, and these individuals exhibited the same mutation as their relatives (c.812 G>C; c.611G>A; and c.680G>A). According to the whole genome expression results, the EEC patients exhibited different gene expression characteristics compared with the LMS patients. More than 5,000 genes were differentially expressed (changes >2 or <0.5-fold) among the EEC patients, LMS patients and healthy individuals. The top three altered pathways have been implicated in apoptosis, the hematopoietic cell lineage and the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway.Our results provide additional clinical and molecular information regarding EEC and LMS and suggest that peripheral blood cytokines may represent a promising clinical biomarker for the diagnosis of these syndromes

Differentially expressed genes among these three groups were involved in the inflammation signal pathway.

<p>Red and blue represents the up- and down- regulated genes respectively.</p

Prevalence and Indicators of Tooth Wear among Chinese Adults

<div><p>Numerous epidemiological studies have focused on the prevalence and related indicators of tooth wear. However, no sufficient studies have been conducted with Chinese adults. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of tooth wear and identify related indicators among adults aged 36 to 74 years in Wuhan City, P.R. China. A cross-sectional and analytic study was conducted with 720 participants, aged 35–49 yrs and 50–74 yrs, in 2014. Each age group included 360 participants, of which 50% were males and 50% were females. All participants completed a questionnaire before examination. Tooth wear was assessed using the modified Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) index. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test and binary logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of tooth wear was 67.5% and 100% in the 35–49 and 50–74 age groups, respectively. The prevalence of dentin exposure was 64.7% and 98.3%, respectively. A significantly higher prevalence of tooth wear and dentin exposure was found in the 50–74 yr group than in the 35–49 yr group (p < 0.05). Critical indicators of tooth wear and dentin exposure included high frequency of acidic drinks and foods consumption, low socio-economic status, and unilateral chewing. The frequency of changing toothbrushes and the habit of drinking water during meals were associated with tooth wear. In addition, the usage of hard-bristle toothbrushes and consuming vitamin C and aspirin were found to be linked with dentin exposure. In conclusion, the prevalence of tooth wear and dentin exposure observed in Chinese adults was high, and the results revealed an association between tooth wear and socio-behavioral risk indicators.</p></div

Functional analysis of genes that exhibited altered expression levels.

<p>Functional analysis of genes that exhibited altered expression levels.</p

SERPING1, GBP1, PLA1A and LTF gene mRNA expression.

<p>(*:p<0.01;**:P<0.05).</p

Binary logistic regression analyses of odds for dentin exposure among Chinese adults.

<p>Binary logistic regression analyses of odds for dentin exposure among Chinese adults.</p

Schematic illustration of multistage sampling.

<p>Schematic illustration of multistage sampling.</p

The relationship between tooth wear and associated factors among the study population.

<p>The relationship between tooth wear and associated factors among the study population.</p

Modified Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) index.

<p>Modified Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) index.</p