Objective To verify the efficiency and stability of hydrogen-rich water preparation with hydrogen-rich rods. Methods ①Seven firenew hydrogen-rich rods were separately placed in seven plastic bottles, each filled with distilled water and soaked for 6 h, before the hydrogen concentration of the water was measured.This process was repeated 10 times.②After the hydrogen-rich rods with the strongest and weakest hydrogen product capacity were removed, the remaining 5 hydrogen-rich rods were placed separately into 5 plastic bottles filled with distilled water,put in a water bath pot at 20,40 and 60℃, respectively, and kept for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 h, respectively.Then, the hydrogen concentration, oxidation-reduction potential(ORP),and dissolved oxygen concentration(DO) were measured at various time points.③In order to determine the hydrogen emission rate from the hydrogen-rich water, the hydrogen-rich rods were constantly kept in some samples and the others were removed.All the sample bottle caps were kept open during the experimental process, and the hydrogen concentration was measured at such time points as 0, 10 and 30 min, 1, 2, 5, 12, 24, 30, 48 and 72 h, respectively.Results ①The hydrogen-rich rods used in this study could well meet the requirements.②When the environment temperature was kept constant, the hydrogen concentration of the water was increased with the soaking time of the hydrogen-rich rods, and the ORP of the water was reduced.However, the DO of the water was decreased with the rise of the environment temperature.③When the hydrogen-rich water was kept in opened plastic bottles with a 25 mm oral diameter, the hydrogen concentration of the samples with the hydrogen-rich rods reserved was almost about 0.50 ppm until 72 h, and that of the others was reduced to almost 0 ppm.Conclusion Our results demonstrate that the hydrogen-rich rods test is a simple and effective method for preparing hydrogen-rich water, which will be an valuable and useful method for using hydrogen-rich water in health promotion and prevention of chronic diseases.

Objective:To investigate the expression of transcription factor BACH2 on PBMC in patients with coronary artery disease( CAD) and discuss its significance and role.Methods:The circulating levels of BACH2 and TLR4 in PBMC were evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blot separately.Serum levels of signature cytokines of T-helper cells,cytokines and ox-LDL were evaluated by ELISA.The data among groups were analyzed by one-way ANOVA.Correlation between variables were subjected to linear regression analysis.Results:The expression level of BACH2 down-regulated and TLR4 up-regulated significantly in PBMCs of ACS patients had significantly higher concentrations of serum ox-LDL,cytokines of TH1 cells,TH2 cells and TH17 cells and low level of cytokine of Treg cells.Negative correlation exists significantly between BACH2 and TLR4 in patients with CAD and between BACH2 and IFN-γ,IL-4 and IL-17,and between BACH2 and ox-LDL in serum.However, positive correlation exists significantly between BACH2 and TGF-β1.Conclusion:Increased serum concentrations of ox-LDL probably down-regulated the expression of BACH2 in ACS patients by activating TLR4 on PBMC, resulting in promoting production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppressing production of anti-inflammatory cytokine and then might cause ACS.

Objective To summary the methods and results of first and second operations on patients with aortic valve disease and non-specific aortitis.Methods The total 34 patients including 23 cases with aortitis and 11 cases with Behcet disease were studied from Jan 2000 to Dec 2010.The first operation was Bentall procedure in 18 cases and AVR in 16 cases.Fourteen of 16 cases who had AVR developed severe paravalvular leakage,and undewent the second operation including 10 aortic root replacement (8 valve-conduit and 2 homograft) and 4 non-anatomic AVR.Results Eighteen patients who had first operation of Bentall procedure all survive without aortic pseudoaneurysm after the follow-up of 6 months to 11 years.Fourteen redo cases all survive except for one case died of repture of aortic pseudoaneurysm 1.2 years postoperatively.Conclusion Preoperative diagnosis in these patients is very difficulty.The first operation of root replacement is of choice.The second operation is very difficulty to handle,root replacement can achieve satisfactory results.Non-anatomic AVR is easy to perform,and good hemo stasis intraoperatively,and is a satisfied alternative method with good results.

Objective The results of Aortic valve replacement (AVR). Combined with ascending aortic replacement(group A) or aortoplasty (group B) in patients with aortic valve disease and ascending aortic dilatation were analysed to assess the clinical outcomes and respective indications. Methods Among the two groups, the age, gender, NYHA class, types of aortic valve lesions and left ventricular ejection fraction were not different statically. The ascending aortic diameters in group A[(50.41 ±3.71) mm] and group B [(48.29±2.18) mm] were not statically different. Ascending aortic replacement was performed in Group A. A Dacron tube(diameter 28 ～ 30mm) was routinely wrapped around the ascending aorta after aortoplasty in group B. Results There was 1 postoperative death in group B, blood transfusion volume and postoperative complications were not stasticaly different in the two groups. Cardiopulmonary bypass time [(110.52 ± 27.51) min] and aortic across clumping time [(71.70 ± 17.13)min] in group A were significantly longer than that of group B [(97.31 ± 19.46) min,P=0. 004; (57.13 ±19.46) min, respectively. P=0.025]. Conclusion Aortic valve disease, especially bicuspid valve disease often combines with ascending aortic dilatation or aneurysm. In younger patients, ascending aorta should be actively treated surgically when the diameter is equal or more than 40mm. Aortoplasty with external reinforcement of a Dacron tube is simpler and safer than aortic replacement in patient without aortic atherosclerosis or ulceration, and large aneurysm.

Objective To evaluate the methods and consequences of surgical technique in the treatment of Stanford A aortic dissection.Methods 108 patients with type Standford A aortic dissection underwent surgery in our study,including urgent surgery in 53 and selective surgery in 55.The operation was performed under deep hypothennic circulatory arrest (DHCA) in 85 cases.Surgical procedures included ascending and semi arch replacement or total arch replacement (some cases combined with stented graft implanted into the descending aorta),"elephant trunk" procedure.Concomitant procedures included repair of intimal tear in arch or descending aorta,Bentall procedure,aortic valve replacement,Cabrol or modified Cabrol procedure,aortic valvuloplasty,mitral valvuloplasty or mitral valve replacement,tricuspid valvuloplasty and CABG.Results In-hospital mortality was 6.5% (7 of 108 patients).The mor- tality was 7.5% (4 of 53 patients) in urgent surgery group and in elective surgery group was 5.4% (3 of 55 patients).Ninety six percent survived patients were followed up for 1 month to 13.3 years [mean (3.2?1.3) years] and 2 deaths occurred during the fel- low-up period.3 patients underwent re-operatian.Conclusion The choice of surgical procedures depend on the location of intimal tear for Stanford A aortic dissection.The better operative effects can be expected with proper surgical indication,perfecting surgical technique,and enhancing postoperative treatment.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features of adenoviral encephalitis (AE), and to provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment of adenoviral encephalitis.Methods:From January 2012 to December 2020, 1 185 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of hospitalized children with suspected central nervous system infection in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College were collected for the detection of 22 common respiratory pathogens and common pathogens for encephalitis by polymerase chain reaction. Records of patients with adenovirus positive in CSF were reviewed and relevant clinical manifestations, laboratory tests and imaging examination results were collected for analysis.Results:Among 1 185 CSF samples, 242 samples were positive for viral nucleic acid, with detection rate of 20.4%, including 1.9%(23/1 185) of adenovirus. As for 23 children diagnosed with AE, 18 were male, five were female, with the age of (44.8±35.9) months, ranging from two months and 19 days to 10 years. Of 23 children, 21(91.3%) presented with fever, followed by convulsions (16 cases, 69.6%), headache (four cases, 17.4%), vomiting (11 cases, 47.8%), consciousness change (11 cases, 47.8%) and emotion disturbance (three cases, 13.0%). Among 23 children, eight cases had white blood cell counts (WBC) of (6 to <10)×10 9/L, 10 cases had WBC of (10 to 20)×10 9/L and the white blood cell classification was mainly neutrophils (21 cases, 91.3%), and C reactive protein of 20 cases (87.0%) was in the normal range. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed that WBC were less than 15×10 6/L in 20 cases (87.0%), and WBC ≥15×10 6/L in three cases, which were up to 500×10 6/L; the protein of 19 cases was in the normal range, the glucose of 15 cases was in the normal range, and the chloride of 19 cases was in the normal range. Among 16 cases with brain magnetic resonance imaging examination, eight cases did not show abnormality, six cases with local meningeal linear enhancement, one case with small intracranial malacia, and one case with extensive intracranial lesions. For 13 cases who received electroencephalogram (EEG) test, seven cases showed normal EEG or marginal state, four cases showed extensive medium and high amplitude slow wave, one case showed spike wave or spike slow wave and one case had both of the above two changes. Among 23 children, 22 cases recovered including one case had secondary epilepsy, and the remaining one case had severe brain dysfunction and was unable to suck when discharged, with an indwelling gastric tube and accompanied by secondary epilepsy. Conclusions:The clinical manifestations and auxiliary examinations of children with AE have no obvious specificity. Most children with AE have a good prognosis, but a small number of them may have serious sequelae.

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between-590C/T polymorphisms of interleukin-4 gene and periodontitis by meta-analysis. Methods: Databases including PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, CBM, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP, were searched from their establishment to December 31, 2016. Only case-control studies on the association between -590C/ T polymorphisms of interleukin-4 gene and periodontitis were selected, and the references of those selected studies were searched by hand. Assessment and data extraction were conducted by 2 reviewers independently, and the meta-analysis was performed with the R 3.3.1 software. Results : The meta-analysis showed that there was no association between the IL-4-590C/T polymorphism and periodontitis susceptibility (T vs C: OR=1.19, 95%CI=0.81~1.76, P =0.37). Subgroup analysis showed that the IL-4 -590 TT was associated with periodontitis in Caucasians (TT vs CT: OR=1.75, 95%CI=1.10 ~ 2.78, P = 0.02), but no significant association in Asians (P =0.63). Meanwhile, IL-4 gene polymorphisms were not significantly associated with the susceptibility of chronic periodontitis (CP) or aggressive periodontitis (AgP) ( e. g. T vs C, CP: P=0.45; AgP: P =0.45). Conclusion Based on current evidence, the polymorphisms of IL-4-590C/T are associated with the increased risk of periodontitis in Caucasians.

ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and predictive indicators of stellate ganglion block （SGB） as an adjunctive intervention for chronic subjective tinnitus and accumulate experience for the application of SGB in the clinical treatment of tinnitus. MethodsA retrospective review was conducted on the data of chronic subjective tinnitus patients who received SGB intervention， with unsatisfactory outcomes otherwise. Pure tone audiometry （PTA）， tinnitus loudness evaluation and Pittsburgh sleep quality index （PSQI） were used. The tinnitus handicap inventory （THI） scores were compared before and after SGB intervention. Correlation analysis and linear regression equations were employed to identify the potential indicators predicting the effectiveness of SGB intervention. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 24.0 software. ResultsBy April 2023， a total of 107 patients with chronic subjective tinnitus had undergone SGB intervention， including 67 male and 40 female， with a mean age of （45.32±11.40） years old and an average tinnitus history of （20.32±24.64） months ［16 （12~20）］. Only 7 patients （6.54%） quitted the intervention for personal reasons， which demonstrated good compliance with the intervention. No patients experienced adverse reactions such as infection at the injection site， hematoma， nerve injury， local anesthetic intoxication and so on， which revealed good safety. After SGB intervention， THI scores decreased to below 36 points in 77 patients and decrease by 10 points or more in 12 of the remaining patients， with a total effective rate of 89%. A paired sample t-test showed a significant difference in THI scores before and after SGB intervention （t=15.575， P<0.001）， indicating good improvement. Pearson correlation analysis suggested that pre-intervention THI scores and subjective tinnitus loudness were significantly positively correlated with the improvement level of THI scores （P<0.05）. Further stepwise linear regression analysis found that "pre-intervention THI scores" had statistical significance （P<0.001）， with a regression coefficient of 0.308， predicting a 17.4% improvement level in THI scores. ConclusionsDue to its good and safe short-term effects， SGB intervention can be used as a supplementary option for chronic subjective tinnitus when other interventions are not ideal， especially for patients with higher THI scores. However， further research is needed to clarify the long-term efficacy and underlying mechanisms， in order to establish a more solid theoretical basis for SGB intervention in the treatment of subjective tinnitus.