BACKGROUND: The brittleness and low flexural strength of ceramic material hinder, to a certain extent, its application in prosthodontic dentistry. Zirconia is enhanced in its flexural strength and toughness by the transformation toughening mechanism, which makes up for the brittleness of the traditional all-ceramic material.OBJECTIVE: To preliminarily explore a new machinable zirconia ceramic material and investigate sintering properties of dental machinable zirconia/La-monazite diphase ceramics with nano-zirconia/La-monazite diphase ceramics. DESIGN: By adjusting the composition and ratio of raw materials, and by adopting different preparation and sintering method, this study was intended to measure the related parameters and to explore the best preparation and sintering method. SETTING: Department of Prosthodontics, College of Stomatology Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Lab of Advanced Inorganic Material Technology, School of Material Science and Engineering, Shanghai University. MATERIALS: There were 3 mol yttria-containing tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (3Y-TZP) (size≤50 nm, purity 99.99%, Yixing Xinxing Zirconia-products Co., Ltd.) and La-monazite (purity 99.99%, Baotou Rare-earth Phosphate Institution). METHODS: Experiments were performed at the Department of Prosthodontics, College of Stomatology Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University from January 2004 to December 2006. The pilot experiments found that the zirconia with less than 15% of lanthanum phosphate was high in strength but poor in machinability while more than 20% of lanthanum phosphate was decreased significantly in its strength. Therefore, 15%, 18% and 20% (volume percentage) of la-monazite was added to 3Y-TZP. The green bodies of the three groups were compacted by cold isostatic pressing (200 MPa) and were sintered in air atmosphere at different temperatures: 1 560 ℃, 1 580 ℃ and 1 600 ℃ to make the ceramic samples. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The volume density, porous rate (Archimedes method) and three-point bending strength (EZ-100 universal testing machine) were tested of all the ceramic samples.RESULTS: ①With the increase of sintering temperature, zirconia/La-monazite ceramics with 15%, 18% and 20% lanthanum phosphate was increased in its bulk and density. The density was the highest for 1 600 ℃ and the respective density of the three groups were 5.77 g/cm3, 5.42 g/cm3 and 5.39 g/cm3. The porous rate decreased with the increasing temperature and was the lowest at 1 600 ℃ (0.88%, 1.21%, 1.49% respectively). There was no significant difference in volume and density at different temperatures (P > 0.05). ②The flexure strength of diphase ceramic with 18% and 20% lanthanum phosphate increased with the temperature increasing to 1 580 ℃. At 1 580 ℃, the flexural strength reached the highest level, respectively (772.22±43.43) MPa, (216.03±25.20) MPa and (157.21±9.79) MPa. When the temperature reaches 1 600 ℃, the strength was decreased. CONCLUSION: Zirconia/La-monazite diphase ceramics can be prepared by adopting cold isostatic pressing (200 MPa) and sintering at 1 580 ℃.

Objective To investigate the stabilization and clinical feasibility of 915MHz implanted microwave ablation equipment through experiential study on the ablation of vitro porcine livers.Methods Equipment of KY-2000 microwave ablation was used,which is produced by Kangyou microwave energy institution in Nanjing.Microwave frequency was 915MHz(?1%).Rigid implanted microwave antennae with internal sodium chloride cooling were directly implanted into vitro porcine livers,and ablations were performed in differential irradiation powers.Continuous and pulsed wave irradiation patterns can be selected,and lasted 600s and 1200s respectively.Results This equipment is safe and stable.The shapes of ablation lesions are all elliptical.Conclusion The ablation lesions can be effectively enlarged by implanted 915MHz microwave.After further experiences in vivo animal,it will be applied in ablation treatment of large liver tumors.

Objective:To investigate the distribution characteristics of syndrome types of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in essential hypertension and to explore the distribution rule of TCM syndromes. Methods: A multicenter, large-sample survey method of clinical epidemiology was applied to choose the patients with essential hypertension from North, Middle, and South China. A questionnaire was designed and filled in, then 477 untreated patients with first-diagnosed essential hypertension were selected and the information was recorded into FileMaker database. A cluster analysis method was utilized to study the TCM syndrome distribution rule of essential hypertension. Results: Two-step cluster analysis was done from 3 to 7 clusters. Seven clusters were appropriate, which included deficiency of heart and kidney qi, hyperactivity of liver-yang, deficiency of yin and yang, stagnation of phlegm-dampness, phlegm-heat (subtype of stagnation of phlegm-dampness), blood stasis obstructing collaterals, and other syndromes. The symptoms presenting high percentage in each cluster were more significant in TCM theory. The syndromes of hyperactivity of liver-yang (24.1%) and stagnation of phlegm-dampness (27.1%) presented the high percentages, and deficiency of heart and kidney qi (10.1%), deficiency of yin and yang (8.4%), and blood stasis obstructing collaterals (9.0%) presented the low percentages. Conclusion: As compared with the current syndrome differentiation criteria, two-step cluster analysis results not only include the syndromes of deficiency of yin and yang, hyperactivity of liver-yang, stagnation of phlegm-dampness, but also cover qi deficiency and blood stasis.

Objective To observe the effect of total flavonoids of ampelopsis grossedentata on blood lipid and hemorheology in atherosclerosis rats .Methods The atherosclerosis model in rats was made by freeing high grease food and intraperitoneal injection of vitamin D3 ,total flavonoids of ampelopsis grossedentata was gave by gavage ,and the level of serum lipid and blood rheology were tested 24 weeks later .Results Total flavonoids of ampelopsis grossedentata could obviously decreased the level of TG ,TC ,LDL , and increased HDL(P<0 .05) .It could significantly decrease whole blood viscosity ,plasma viscosity and hematocrit (P<0 .05) . Conclusion Total flavonoids of ampelopsis grossedentata can adjust fatty substance metabolism ,improve hemorheology of athero-sclerosis rats ,and has therapeutic effect for atherosclerosis .

Aim To investigate the antidepressive-like effect of ethyl alcohol extract of Polyrhachis vicina Rog-er(EAPR),and its mechanism.Methods EAPR was prepared by ethanol extraction.Its anti-depressive effect was investigated by tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST).Furthermore,repeated doses of reserpine was used for preparing the depres-sive rats.Results EAPR has definitely anti-depres-sive effect,as evidenced by the decreased immobility time in FST and TST at the doses of 8 and 4 g·kg -1 (P <0.05).In the repeated reserpine evoked depres-sive rats,EAPR antagonized the symptoms induced by monoamines depletion and attenuated the anhedonia, as manifested by reversed hypothermia,akinesia and sucrose consumption at the doses of 8 and 2 g·kg -1 (P <0.05,P <0.01).Neuro-chemical studies showed that AFPR significantly increased the concentration of monoamines,including 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and noradrenaline(NA)at the dose of 8 g·kg -1 (P <0.05),and had no effect on normal rats .Furthermore, EAPR increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD)in serum,hippocampus and cerebral cortex at the dose of 8 g·kg -1 (P <0.05).Conclusion EA-PR possesses the definite antidep ressive properties, connected with the regulation of neurotransmitter me-tabolism and the nerve cells antioxidant effect.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of allograft fibula in anterior cervical fusion for cervical spondylosis patients treated by Smith-Robinson operation supplemented with anterior instrumentation.

METHODSThe clinical outcome of 38 patients with cervical spondylosis treated by Smith-Robinson operation using allograft fibula supplemented with anterior titanium plate were retrospectively studied. The patients were followed up on average was (9.5 +/- 3.4) months. The average preoperative and postoperative JOA scores were assessed and myelopathy severity was graded using the Nurick myelopathy grading system. Lateral views in neutral position, in flexion, and in extension of preoperative cervical roentgenograms were analyzed in comparison with last follow-up films to identify the changes in the height of intervertebral space and the quality of fusion.

RESULTSStatistical analysis of all patients revealed mean JOA scores of 12.54 +/- 1.62 and 16.07 +/- 1.13 before surgery and at final examination (P < 0.05), respectively. And the mean Nurick grades were 2.46 +/- 0.43 and 0.72 +/- 0.37 before and after surgery (P < 0.05), respectively. Radiographic follow-up revealed that the height intervertebral space and the lordosis of the cervical spine had been restored and no allograft was found displaced or collapsed and also revealed that all grafts obtained union by 5 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONSFibular allograft can replace autologous iliac crest graft in the treatment of cervical spondylosis patients. This method is safe and efficacious and can avoid bone graft-site morbidity.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; pathology ; Female ; Fibula ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Osteophytosis ; surgery ; Transplantation, Homologous

Guilu-Erxian Gum, a famous prescription of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which could warm the kidney and benefit essence, tonify qi and nourishing the blood. It's main function is to treat chronic kidney deficiency, sour waist and soft knees, lack of essence and blood, spermatorrhea and impotence. This prescription has been changed and expanded in the dosage, preparation and efficacy of Chinese medicine included in the classics. Pharmacological studies have shown that it can strengthen the bone, play the role of anti-tumor, relieve bone marrow suppression, improve sperm quality and relieve post-traumatic stress disorder. The modern clinical application of this priscriptionhas been greatly expanded. It can be used in the treatment of adverse reactions after chemotherapy, liver cirrhosis, hypoproteinemia, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, AD and other diseases. It is often used in combination with other medicine or treatment methods, and could achieve good results.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Guilu Erxianjiao on improving reproductive injury in diabetic rats and its possible mechanism. MethodFifty-three SD male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups， with 1 group as the normal group and the other 4 groups as the modeling groups. Rats in the modeling groups were fed with a high-fat diet combined with 30 mg·kg^-1 streptozotocin （STZ） intraperitoneal injection to induce diabetes， with the random blood glucose >16.7 mmol·L^-1 for 3 consecutive times as the criteria for inclusion in the model of diabetic reproductive injury. The rats with diabetic reproductive injury were then randomly divided into a model group， a Guilu Erxianjiao group （2 g·kg^-1）， a Vitamin E group （0.03 g·kg^-1）， and a Wuzi Yanzong pill group （0.6 g·kg^-1） according to the blood glucose level. The rats were given the corresponding drug dose intragastric administration， once a day for 4 weeks， and their body weight and blood glucose were measured weekly. After 4 weeks， samples were collected for index determination. Morphological changes in testis and epididymis were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， and apoptosis of testis cells was observed by in situ end labeling （TUNEL） staining. Sperm concentration and motility were detected by the semen analyzer. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， and testosterone （T） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The content of superoxide dismutase （SOD）， propylene glycol （MDA）， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） in the testicular tissue was determined by ELISA. The expressions of nuclear respiratory factor-2 （Nrf2）， heme oxygenase 1 （HO-1）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax） in the testicular tissue were detected by Western blot. ResultAs compared with the normal group， testicular tissue atrophy， decreased spermatogenic tubules， epididymal wall hyperplasia， and lumen stenosis were observed in the model group. Sperm concentration and motility decreased （P<0.01）， and serum levels of T， FSH， and LH decreased （P<0.01） in the model group. The content of ROS and MDA in the testis increased （P<0.01）， while that of SOD and GSH-Px decreased （P<0.01） in the model group. The expression of Bax increased （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 decreased （P<0.01） in the model group. As compared with the model group， the pathological changes in the testis and epididymis in the Guilu Erxianjiao group were improved to some extent. Sperm concentration and motility increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the Guilu Erxianjiao group， serum levels of T and LH increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while FSH levels showed no significant difference. The content of ROS and MDA in the testis decreased （P<0.01）， while that of SOD and GSH-Px increased （P<0.01） in the Guilu Erxianjiao group. The expression of Bax decreased （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 increased （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the Guilu Erxianjiao group. ConclusionGuilu Erxianjiao improves the reproductive injury and sperm quality of diabetic rats to a certain extent， and the mechanism may be related to the improvement of oxidative stress and anti-apoptosis.

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemiological characteristics and antibiotic resistance of Salmonella enterica serovar Pomona (S. Pomona).

METHODSAntimicrobial susceptible testing (AST) and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) methods were used to analyze on S. Pomona strains that were isolated from diarrhea cases through the diarrhea network monitoring program, environment and food samples in Shanghai as well as from reptiles in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

RESULTS4 553 clinic Salmonella (S.) strains were isolated from the Shanghai network laboratories from 2005 to 2012. The top 10 serotypes would include 20 serotypes all belonged to A-F groups, while S. Pomona was next to S. Wandsworth, according to the non- A-F groups. Young children seemed to be susceptible to S. Pomona, and might cause bloody stools and super-infection. The top 10 serotypes from 1 805 foodborne Salmonella strains were significantly more extensive than those from the human S. Pomona strains, followed by those rare serotypes which were mostly isolated from turtle, sea-shellfish and reptiles. Antibiotic resistance of S. Pomona strains from other sources were significantly more severe than those from human samples, and belonged to A and B clones by means of PFGE. Clone A strains were non-epidemic strains which showed multi-drug resistance (MDR) to antimicrobials. Clone B was the main epidemic-causing strain that not resistant to drugs, which consisting B- I from young-age-groups and B-II were from the seniors. B-I strains were homologous to those from shellfish, tortoises and lizards, while B-II strains only showing homology to those from shellfish. One S. Pomona strain-MDR, isolated from human was homologous to 8 antimicrobials.

CONCLUSIONS. Pomona was a quite common serotype among those rare serotypes, which showed higher pathogenicity to infants while genetic evolution might take place when comparing them with the strains isolated from the clinics in 2005. Surveillance programs should be intensified along with the early warnings systems on infections which were from seafood and reptiles.

China ; epidemiology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Humans ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Salmonella Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Salmonella enterica ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Serogroup

Male infertility is a significant cause of psychosocial and marital distress in approximately 50% of couples who are unable to conceive, with male factors being the underlying cause. Guijiajiao (Colla Carapacis et Plastri, CCP) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine commonly used to treat male infertility. The present study aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the preventive effects of CCP on male infertility. An infertile male rat model was established using cyclophosphamide (CTX), and CCP was administered for both treatment and prevention. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was also performed to explore the role of gut microbiota in the CCP-mediated prevention of male infertility in rats. Sperm motility and concentration were determined using a semi-automatic sperm classification analyzer. Subsequently, histopathological analysis using HE staining was performed to examine the changes in the small intestine and testis. Moreover, the serum levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and testosterone were measured by ELISA. In addition, immunohistochemistry was conducted to detect CD3 expression in the small intestine, while RT-qPCR was employed to assess the expressions of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), cluster of differentiation 3 (CD3), Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL-10) in the small intestine and epididymis. Finally, gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. CCP improved sperm motility, number, and concentration in CTX-induced infertile male rats. CCP increased the serum testosterone level, inhibited the immune cell infiltration of the intestinal lamina propria, and promoted the aggregation of CD3⁺ T cells in CTX-induced male infertility rats. CCP also inhibited the expressions of MCP-1, CXCL-10, and IL-1β in the epididymis of male infertility rats. At the genus level, CTX led to a reduction in the abundance of Lactobacillus, Clostridia_UCG.014, and Romboutsia in the intestinal tract of rats. In contrast, CCP decreased the abundance of Ruminococcus and increased the abundance of Romboutsia in infertile male rats. Additionally, FMT experiments proved that the gut microbiota of CCP-treated rats facilitated testicular tissue recovery and spermatogenesis while also reducing the serum LPS level in infertile male rats. CCP improves the spermatogenic ability of infertile male rats by restoring gut microbiota diversity and inhibiting epididymal inflammation.
Humans ; Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Semen ; Sperm Motility ; Infertility, Male/prevention & control* ; Testosterone