OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between humidity exposure and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), utilizing follow-up data and relative humidity (RH) metric assessments. METHODS: We extracted the baseline data from the China Hypertension Survey (CHS) of 24,510 enrolled participants aged ≥ 35 years without a history of CVD between 2012 and 2015 and followed them up from 2018 to 2019. The National Meteorological Information Center (NMIC) of the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) provided the quality-controlled relative humidity (RH) datasets. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios ( HRs) for CVD in relation to RH. RESULTS: During the follow-up period (2018-2019), 973 patients with CVD were identified. The HR of CVD risk was 1.17 (95% CI: 1.04-1.31) per 10% increase in summer mean RH. Compared with participants in the 3 ^rd quintile group, those in the 1 ^st and 5 ^th quintiles of RH had a higher risk of CVD. For summer mean RH, the HRs (95% CIs) for the 1 ^st and 5 ^th quintiles were 1.34 (1.04-1.71) and 1.44 (1.14-1.83), respectively. The relationship ("U" shape) between summer mean RH and the risk of CVD was nonlinear. Stratified analyses indicated that the risk of CVD was substantially influenced by the summer mean RH in female, older individuals, and those in southern China. CONCLUSION Unsuitable (too high or low) humidity environments affect the risk of CVD. Our study highlights those future policies for adapting to climate change should consider the humidity-CVD relationship.
Humans ; Humidity/adverse effects* ; Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; China/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Aged ; Risk Factors ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Seasons

Objective : To evaluate the effects of low temperature plasma modification on the surface morphology and bonding durability of zirconia ceramics. Methods: 180 pieces of zirconia ceramic(Y-TZP) were randomly divided into 5 groups(n= 36). Group A:blank group; Group B:sandblast group; Group C:nitrogen( N2) plasma group; Group D:oxygen(O2) plasma group; Group E:argon(Ar) plasma group. The surface hydrophilicity and microstructure of zirconia ceramics were observed,and the changes of surface elements and functional groups were detected. Each group of bonded specimens was randomly divided into two subgroups(n= 15). After receiving 0 and10 000 cycles of heat and cold,the shear strength was measured. The measured results were statistically analyzed and the fracture mode was analyzed. Results: The surface contact angles of groups B,C,D and E were significantly lower than those of group A,with statistically significant differences(P<0. 001). Compared with group A,the surface morphology of group C,D and E did not significantly change,while that of group B significantly changed. XPS showed that the surface carbon decreased,oxygen increased and carbon/oxygen ratio decreased after plasma treatment. SBS results showed that the immediate shear bonding strength of group A was lower than that of the other four groups(P<0. 001),and there was no significant difference in the immediate shear bonding strength of groups B,C,D and E(P>0. 05);After artificial aging,the shear bonding strength of group A was significantly lower than that of the other four groups,and the difference of shear bonding strength between groups A and B before and after artificial aging was statistically significant(P<0. 001). Conclusion The zirconia ceramics achieves better bonding strength and durability with resin cement through three kinds of low temperature plasmas,without changing the surface morphology.

Zinc levels are high in pancreatic β-cells, and zinc is involved in the synthesis, processing and secretion of insulin in these cells. However, precisely how cellular zinc homeostasis is regulated in pancreatic β-cells is poorly understood. By screening the expression of 14 Slc39a metal importer family member genes, we found that the zinc transporter Slc39a5 is significantly down-regulated in pancreatic β-cells in diabetic db/db mice, obese ob/ob mice and high-fat diet-fed mice. Moreover, β-cell-specific Slc39a5 knockout mice have impaired insulin secretion. In addition, Slc39a5-deficient pancreatic islets have reduced glucose tolerance accompanied by reduced expression of Pgc-1α and its downstream target gene Glut2. The down-regulation of Glut2 in Slc39a5-deficient islets was rescued using agonists of Sirt1, Pgc-1α and Ppar-γ. At the mechanistic level, we found that Slc39a5-mediated zinc influx induces Glut2 expression via Sirt1-mediated Pgc-1α activation. These findings suggest that Slc39a5 may serve as a possible therapeutic target for diabetes-related conditions.

BACKGROUND:To measure the occlusal force index of patients with missing teeth before and after restoration is an effective way to evaluate the restoration effect and oral function recovery after dental restoration.OBJECTIVE:To observe the changes of occlusal force and periodontal tissue in patients undergoing CO-Cr alloy-based porcelain-fused-to-metal crown and bridge restoration.METHODS:100 male patients were randomly divided into five groups (n=20 per group), and respectively received CO-Cr alloy porcelain crown restoration of the anterior teeth (group A), CO-Cr aloy porcelain crown repair of the premolar (group B), CO-Cr aloy porcelain crown restoration of the molar (group C), CO-Cr alloy porcelain bridge restoration of the anterior teeth (group D), or CO-Cr alloy porcelain bridge restoration of the posterior teeth (group E). Changes of occlusal force and periodontal related indexes were detected before, immediately and 6 months after dental restoration.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Occlusal force: The occlusal force in all the five groups was increased immediately and 6 months after restoration (P < 0.05). Before, immediately and 6 months after dental restoration, the occlusal force was higher in the groups C and E than the groups A, B, D (P < 0.05), as well as higher in the group B than the groups A and D (P < 0.05). (2) Periodontal detection: there were no significant differences among the five groups in the periodontal probing depth, plaque control index, clinical attachment level, and volume of gingival crevicular fluid (P > 0.05) before and after restoration. To conclude, the CO-Cr alloy-based porcelain-fused-to-metal crown and bridge restoration can significantly enhance the patient's occlusal force of the abutment teeth, exert little effect on the periodontal tissue and have good biocompatibility.

Adult ; Aneurysm ; complications ; Bronchial Arteries ; pathology ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation ; methods ; Female ; Hemoptysis ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans

BACKGROUNDCommunity acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most common infectious disease in emergency department. In 2005 the concept of healthcare associated pneumonia (HCAP) was proposed by the ATS/IDSA guidelines. The clinical features and microbiology of HCAP are different from CAP, however, the initial antimicrobial treatment is still controversial. We aimed to compare the clinical efficacy between HCAP patients treated initially with HCAP guideline-concordant antimicrobial agents and those with CAP guideline-concordant antimicrobial agents.

METHODSWe conducted a retrospective observational study on HCAP patients who were admitted to emergency department between December 2011 and December 2012. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their different initial antimicrobial treatment. We compared clinical features, distribution of pathogen, severity, days and spending on intravenous antimicrobial, length and charge of hospitalization and clinical outcomes, and meanwhile analyzed the clinical efficacy as well.

RESULTSOf the 125 HCAP patients, 55 patients received CAP guideline-concordant antimicrobial agents and 70 received HCAP agents. The major pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae, methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. The 2 groups were similar at baseline, including old age, comorbidities, Pneumonia Severity Index scores, APACHE scores, and length of intravenous antimicrobial use and hospitalization duration, and in-hospital mortality. Overall efficacy rate occurred in 70.0% of HCAP agent patients and 50.9% of CAP agent patients (P = 0.029). Antimicrobial charge and total hospital charge for HCAP agent patients were significantly higher than that for CAP agent patients.

CONCLUSIONSInitial treatment of HCAP patients in emergency department with HCAP guideline-concordant antimicrobial could increase clinical efficacy rate, as well as antimicrobial charge and total hospital charge, but was not associated with shortening the length of stay, or lowering in-hospital mortality.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Escherichia coli ; pathogenicity ; Female ; Humans ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; pathogenicity ; Male ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; pathogenicity ; Pneumonia ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; drug effects ; Retrospective Studies

This article was aimed to study the effect of Baohe granules for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome and the effect of gastrointestinal hormone secretion. Patients with CHF were used as the object of study. A total of 80 selected patients were divided into 2 groups. The control group was treated with western medicine anti-heart failure therapy. The treatment group was treated with the combination of Baohe granules. All patients were compared in aspects of TCM efficacy, symptom score and serum gastrin, motilin secretion after two-week medication. The results showed that both treatments can significantly improve the TCM syn-drome and symptom total score of CHF patients. And the effect of the treatment group with Baohe granules was bet-ter. The TCM single symptom integral was also obviously improved in the treatment group combined with Baohe granules, which included heart palpitations, shortness of breath, abdominal distension, and loss of appetite. The GAS and MTL levels of CHF patients were significantly increased in the treatment group. It was concluded that the treat-ment combined with Baohe granules can improve CHF patients with TCM syndromes, symptoms and gastrointestinal hormone secretion. Thus, it contributed to the stability of the disease condition. It can slow the disease progression and improve prognosis. So it is worth using widely in the clinical practice.

We designed a locator for puncture under CT examination.Thirty-three patients of both sexesaged 16-76 yr weighing 46-80 kg undergoing bilateral thoracic or lumber sympathetic nerve block under CT examination were enrolled in this study.One side was punctured under the guidance of the locator,while the other side was punctured by conventional technique.The time consumed during puncture,CT scan adjusting time,the deviation of the needle from the targets and the incidence of puncture complications were recorded.The results showed that compared with the conventional technique,with the locator the time consumed during puncture was significantly shorter,the number of attempts and the deviation of the needle from the target were significantly reduced.The procedure was successfully performed on both side in all patients without serious complications such as hemothorax and pneumothorax.

Objective To analyze CT characteristics of spherical pneumonia in order to differentiate it from other lesions especially lung cancer. Methods The CT and X-ray film of 25 cases diagnosed clinically as spherical pneumonia were analysed retrospectively.Results CT features of 25 patients were summarized as follow : ⑴Lesions were usually located in the posterior lung fields.(2)The central part of the lesions showed high density, while periphery part of lesion were low in density and blurred. (3)The bilateral margin of lesions were straight, and the lesions appeared square or triangular in shape. ⑷Margins of the lesions may be irregular and blurred. ⑸There were marked pleural reaction around the lesions and some times pleura diffusely thickening occurred. ⑹Vascular marking around the lesions were exaggerated increase and thickened, nevertheless they were not stiff. Conclusion CT is valuable in diagnosing and differential diagnosing spherical pneumonia.