Objective:To compare the differences of bond strength usi ng gold intermediate layer between Ni-Cr alloy and opaque porcelain(OP) baked at different temperatures. Methods:36 standard samples of Ni-Cr al loy and 36 of gold were prepared. The samples were divided into 4 groups with 9 in each. In group 1,OP was smeared to the surface of the samples and then baked at 950 ℃. In group 2,3 and 4 blendgold neu(a gold past) was put on the surface of the samples, then baked at 820 ℃,890 ℃ and 960 ℃ respectively. The samples were proccessed for further tests.The bond strength was tested by shear bond te st, and the electron probe was used to observe interfacial bond state and diffus ion of interfacial elements. Results:The bond strength(MPa) in g roup 1,2,3 and 4 was 19.66? 1.83,22.34?2.73,21.33?2.75 and 28.02?5.71 res pectively(group 1 vs group 4 P

Objective To investigate the clinical features of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicating with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.Methods The medical records of 40 inpatients with SLE complicating with HBV infection and 60 SLE inpatients without HBV infection were analyzed retrospectively.Chi-square test and t test were used for statistical analysis.Results Forty patients with SLE complicating with HBV infection were included,including 4 men and 36 women,with the mean age of (32±13) yr.Twenty-three patients suffered from chronic HBV hepatitis,5 patients were serological HBsAg carriers,12 patients with HBV occult infection.Twenty-one patients had mild liver dysfunction,presented mainly as increased ALT,2 patients presented with severe liver function abnormality.The main types of lupus rlephritis were Class Ⅳ and Class Ⅴ,2 patients complicating with HBV-associated glomerulonephritis.Compared with the control group,patients with SLE complicating with HBV infection had a significantly higher prevalence of fever,liver involvement,renal lesion,thrombocytopenia and cytomegalovirus infection respectively.One patient with severe liver abnormality had poor prognosis.Conclusion More attention should be paid to the clinical features of SLE complicating with HBV infection.Patients with SLE complicating with HBV infection have a significantly higher prevalence of fever,liver involvement,renal lesion,thrombocytopenia and cytomegalovirus infection respectively.Patients with SLE complicating with HBV infection may suffer from HBV-associated glomerulonephritis.Severe liver abnormality predicts poor prognosis.Anti-HBV drugs should be prescribed for SLE patients with serological positive HBsAg while immunosuppressive agents are used.

Objective To investigate the effect of treatment and restoration of residual dental root and crown in the elderly. Methods A total of 68 elderly patients with 202 residual roots and 47 residual crowns was treated.Radiography was taken to find out the length of residual roots and the status of treatment. A comprehensive treatment plan was made for each case, including restoration, extraction and endodontic treatment, etc. The restoration and the periodontal health of abutment teeth were followed up for 1 5 to 3 years consecutively. Results In endodontically treated teeth, the success rates of anterior 109, bicuspid 74, molar 26, were 92 3% 94 5%. In 87 post core crowns, 1 root cracked, 7 teeth mobility was 2 0 3 0 , all of which were the abutment teeth of removable dentures and single tooth. Maybe it was the impact of load heavy and occlusal trauma. In 64 post core fixed bridges, 6 ceramic broken was the impact of occlusal trauma. The function of restorations was good, with no root caries. Periodontitis was mainly in the abutment teeth and single tooth. Failure rate of restorative was 5 5% 7 7%. Conclusions Comprehensive treatments and restorations for residual root and crowns in the elderly would improve periodontal health and chewing function.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effects of oridonin combined with gemcitabine on pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells in vitro, and the potential mechanisms thereof. Methods The pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells were treated with vehicle alone and various concentrations (10,20,40,80 and160μmol/L) of oridonin, followed by 24, 48 and 72 h cell culture. Effects of oridonin on cell proliferation were determined by using a CCK-8 kit. SW1990 cells were treated with oridonin (40μmol/L) and gemcitabine (20μmol/L) alone or together for 48 h, and the untreated cells were used as the con-trol. The cell survival rate was detected by CCK-8 assay. Apoptosis induction was assessed by using Annexin V-FITC kit. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to examine the changes of NF-κB mRNA and XIAP mRNA expressions. Results Oridonin inhibited the growth of pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Compared with the other groups, the cell survival rate was significantly lower in the combination group (P<0.05). Oridonin combined with gemcitabine induced a higher percentage of apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells than that of oridonin or gemcitabine alone (P<0.05). Moreover, the expressions of NF-κB and XIAP mRNA in pancreatic carcinoma cells were obviously down-regu-lated in combination group (P<0.05). Conclusion Oridonin can enhance the antitumor effect of gemcitabine on pancreatic cancer in vitro, which may be related to through the down-regulation of NF-κB and its downstream of XIAP, and then induc-ing cell apoptosis in pancreatic cancer.

Objective To analyze the risk factors of pulmonary hypertension in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE-PH).Methods Echo data of 598 SLE patients were collected,clinical characteristics of 107 suspected SLE-PH (PASP ≥40 mmHg,estimated by Echo) and 64 suspected moderate to severe PH (PASP ≥50 mmHg) were retrospectively analyzed.T-test,x2-test and Logisticregression were used for statistical analysis.Results Out of 598 patients 70.7％(423 patients) had abnormal Echo findings,and pericardial effusion in 45.5％(272 cases),valvular insufficiency in 31.3％(187 cases),suspected PH in 17.9％(107 cases),left ventricular enlargement in 5.9％(35 cases),left ventricular hypertrophy in 4.3％(26cases).In addition 1.7％ had mitral valve prolapse,1.5％ had mitral valve vegetation,and right ventricular enlargement in 6.5％(39 cases),LVEF＜50％ in 6.0％(36 cases),right ventricular systolic dysfunction in 2.2％(13 cases).Logistic regression analysis showed Raynaud's phenomenon (OR=3.205,95％CI:1.911-5.375,P=0.000),thrombocytopenia (OR=1.680,95％CI:1.049-2.689,P=0.031),hyperuricemia (OR=3.643,95％CI:2.154-6.164,P=0.000),and anti-U1RNP antibody positivity (OR=1.777,95％CI:1.099-2.874,P=0.019)were independent risk factors for suspected SLE-PH,fever (OR=0.576,P=0.029)and rash (OR=0.558,P=0.017) were independent protective factors for suspected SLE-PH.SLE duration (OR=1.145,95％CI:1.016-1.290,P=0.026) and Raynaud's phenomenon (OR=3.371,95％CI:1.126-10.086,P=0.030)were independent risk factors for suspected moderate to severe PH,nephritic syndrome (OR=0.042,P=0.009) was the in dependent protective factor for suspected moderate to severe PH.Conclusion Cardiac involvement is common in SLE patients.Screening for PH should be considered in SLE patients with thrombocytopenia,hyperuricemia,anti-U1RNP antibody positivity,particularly with Raynaud's phenomenon.

Objective To estimate the characteristics of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and its clinical association with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.Methods Two hundred and five patients with SSc,who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology criteria were consecutively recruited.GER was recognized in patients with symptom of heartburn or regurgitation.Demographic,clinical,and laboratory data were analyzed.A six minute walk test,pulmonary function test and modified Rodnan's skin score (mRSS) were also calculated for GER and non-GER groups.x2 test,Fisher's exact test and t-test were used for statistical analysis.Logistic regression test was used for the analysis of risk factors.Results There were 90 patients with GER among 205 patients,the prevalence of GER was 43.9％.The presence of PAH (23.3％ vs 9.6％),Raynaud's phenomenon (98.9％ vs 92.2％ ) and fingertip ulcers (56.7％vs 51.3％) were significantly higher in patients with GER than those without GER.There was no difference in autoantibody profile between GER patients and non-GER patients (P＞0.05).The New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class of SSc-related GER was worse than patients without GER (P=0.015).Pulmonary function test showed that diffuse capacity (DLCO)％,forced vital capacity (FVC)％,and forced expiratory volume (FEV1)％ were lower and the FVC％/DLCO％ ratio was higher in patients with GER than non-GER (P＜0.05).GER was an independent risk factor of PAH in SSc patients (P=0.047,OR=3.41 ).Conclusion GER frequently occurs in SSc patients,SSc patients presenting with GER should be screened for PAH.Targeting the underlying vascular dysfunction might prevent not only PAH,but also GER in SSc patients.

objecfive To analyze ventricular myocardial function in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).Methods Thirtv female SSc patients and fifteen age-and sex-comparable healthy subjects underwent standard echo and tissue Doppler imaging(TDI)examination.T-test and Pearson's analysis were used.Results Both left and right atrial and ventricular diameters,left ventricular eiection fraction and right ventricular fraction of area change were comparable between the two groups.Mitral and tricuspid inflow E/A ratio was almost the same in both groups,while systolic pulmoHary pressure was increased in SSc [(38±16)vs (23.9±4.8)mm Hg,P=0.008].TDI detected impaired right ventricular myocardial function in SSc:eartydiastolic peak velocity Em [(10.7±4.8)vs(15.0±2.1)cm/s,P=0.01],peak systolic strain[(-16.3±3.9)%vs (-20.9±2.0)%,P=0.001]and strain rate[(-1.4±0.4) vs(-2.4±0.5)/s,P<0.01] were reduced significantly.Left ventricular myocardial function was not impaired in SSc patients.Conclusion TDI iS a valuable noninvasive tool for early detecting of ventricular myocardial involvement caused by SSc.

Objective To investigate the clinical and pathological features of eosinophilic diseases with cardiac involvement Methods We analyzed the clinical and cardiac pathological data of 7 patients with eosinophilic diseases with cardiac involvement under endomyocardial biopsy or autopsy.Results Seven patients (5 male, average age 51 years) were enrolled.Four patients were diagnosed as idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome and three were Churg-Strauss syndrome.Peripheral blood eosinophila count increased significantly in all patients.Cardiac involvement included angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, heart failure, presyncope and sudden death.Electrocardiogram showed cardiac ischemia, bundle branch block and third degree atrioventricular block.Echocardiography suggested ventricular and atrial enlargement, decreased ventricular systolic function, pulmonary hypertension, valvular prolapse and insufficiency and endocarditis.Pathology displayed infiltration of eosinophils, formation of granulomata, necrotizing vasculitis, myocardial necrosis and endomyocardial fibrosis in heart.Coronary artery could be also affected and led to myocardial infarction.Conclusions Cardiovascular complications of eocinophilic diseases are a major source of morbidity and mortality in these disorders.The manifestations are multiple and early recognition and treatment with steroid and immunosuppressant can improve prognosis.

Objective To explore the potential role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) in the assessment of patients with connective tissuediseases(CTD) associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Methods Thirty patients with CTD associated PAH were evaluated by WHO function, echocardiography, right heart catheterization and blood biomarkers. All the clinical data was analyzed statistically. Results All patients [age (39.5 ± 11.6) yr]were female. Both NT-proBNP and BNP were significantly increased and significantly correlated ( all P ＜0. 05 ) respectively with mean pulmonary arterial pressure ( r = 0. 53 and r = 0. 40 ), right arterial pressure ( r = 0. 55 and r = 0. 42 ), pulmonary vascular resistance ( r = 0. 69 and r = 0. 61 ), cardiac index ( r = - 0. 58and r = - 0. 46), mixed venous blood oxygen saturation ( r = - 0. 62 and r = - 0. 54 ), pericardial effusion ( r = 0. 46 and r = 0. 43 ), right atrial sizes ( r = 0. 40 and 0. 53, and r = 0. 39 and 0. 45 ) and right ventricular size ( r = 0. 55 and r = 0. 37 ). Furthmore, NT-proBNP, but not BNP, significantly correlated with WHO function class ( r = 0. 55 ). Conclusion Blood NT-proBNP and BNP were elevated in patients with CTD associated PAH and paralleled the extent of function class, pulmonary hemodynamic changes and right ventricular remodeling.

Objective To investigate the levels, phenotypes and functions of regulatory T cells (Treg) and Th17 cells in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and assess the role of imbalance between Treg and Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of SSc. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 31 SSc patients and 33 healthy controls were analyzed for the expression of CD4, CD25, CD45RA, the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), FoxP3, and IL-17 using flow cytometry. Treg immunosuppression capacities were measured in co-cultured experiments. The expressions of IL-17A, IL-22, IL-6 and IL-1β were measured by FlowcytoMix. The expression of FoxP3, CTLA-4, IL-17A, and RORC mRNA were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The independent samples t-test was used to compare data between the groups. Results The frequency of Treg cells was significantly elevated in SSc [(3.6 ±1.1)%] compared with controls [(2.0±0.8)%, t=6.88, P<0.01)] and the expression of CTLA-4 was lower in Treg cells of SSc (P=0.034). The expression of CTLA-4 and FoxP3 mRNA was lower in SSc compared with controls (P<0.05), the immunosuppressive capacity of Treg cells were diminished in SSc (P=0.034). Th17 cells were increased in SSc (P<0.01); the levels of IL-17A, IL-22, IL-6 and IL-1β in the serums of SSc were higher than the controls (P<0.05). In SSc, CD25+FoxP3+IL-17+cells were increased[0.075%±0.032)%vs (0.049±0.027)%, t=3.52, P=0.029], but no difference of CD25+FoxP3+IL-17- was observed when compared with control. The expression of IL-17A and RORC mRNA were increased in SSc (P<0.01, respectively). Conclusion Both Treg and Th17 cells are increased in patients of SSc. Treg increases along with the deficiency of phenotype and function. FoxP3+IL-17+co-express cells are increased, and the balance between Treg and Th17 cells is broken.