OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of incorporating three different zinc oxide (ZnO) on the antibacterial activity of composite resin.

METHODSThe minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of nano-ZnO, tetrapod-like zinc oxide whiskers (T-ZnOw), micro-ZnO against Streptococcus mutans were examined by the broth dilution test. Then the three different ZnO were added to the powder of one kind of bicomponent self-cured composite resin at 5% respectively, and the antibacterial activities of the resin specimens were evaluated using the membrane covering method before and after 3-month accelerating aging.

RESULTSThe MIC values of the three different ZnO against Streptococcus mutans were 78.13, 312.50 and 1 250.00 microg/mL respectively and the MBC values were 156.25, 625.00, 1,250.00 microg/mL respectively. The antibacterial ratios of the resin specimens incorporating with 5% of the three different ZnO were (93.58+/-5.95)%, (89.42+/-4.11)% and (78.97+/-3.90)% respectively, while after 3-month accelerating aging those were (89.01+/-7.91)%, (84.63+/-4.72)% and (72.27+/-3.89)%.

CONCLUSIONThe three different ZnO could improve the antibacterial activity of the composite resin. The nano-ZnO exhibit the strongest antibacterial activity, while the micro-ZnO weakest. The T-ZnOw presents comparatively strong antibacterial activity although with smaller specific surface area.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Composite Resins ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Streptococcus mutans ; Zinc Oxide

Objective To analyze the podiatric conditions of athletes with intellectual disabilities.Methods From May eleventh to 17th, 2015,779 athletes who participated in the sixth National Special Olympics were enrolled partly.Their lower limbs and feet were evaluated with Fit Feet Healthy Athletes Screening Form.Results Common podiatric conditions found in Special Olympics athletes included flat feet (52.2% in left side and 51.7% in right side), over pronation (56.1% in left side and 56.9% in right side), callus (44.7%), wrong nail cut (46.6%),ingrown nail(21.1%),and cross over toes(6.8%),etc.Conclusion Special Olympics athletes have podiatric structural,functional, nail and skin problems,which may relate to intellectual disabilities.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical features and prognosis in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and autoimmune liver diseases (ALD). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of clinical manifestation and prognosis was performed in patients with ALD or without ALD during the three years (February 2014 to December 2017). RESULTS: Totally, 203 patients with pSS were included in this study, 68 patients had ALD (31 patients with autoimmune hepatitis, 37 patients with primary biliary cholangitis), while 135 patients did not have ALD. There were no differences between the two groups regarding age, gender, clinical manifestations, such as dry mouth, dry eyes, pain, fatigue, lymphadenopathy, glandular swelling, cutaneous involvement, lung involvement, and renal involvement, and the incidence rate of other autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune thyroid disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and vasculitis. There were also no differences in the titer of antinuclear antibody (ANA), the positive rates of anti-Sjögren's syndrome A antibody (SSA), SSA52, and anti-Sjögren's syndrome B antibody (SSB), and at the levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein between the two groups. Most importantly, the pSS patients with ALD had a shorter disease course, a higher positive rate of anti-mitochondrial M2 antibody (AMA-M2) and anti-centromere antibody, a higher level of IgG and IgM, a lower level of complement 3, and a decreased number of blood cells. They also had a higher level of liver related serum index, such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, a higher incidence rate of liver cirrhosis, an increased death incident (the mortality was 13.24% in the pSS patients with ALD, while 2.96% in the controls, P=0.013), and a worse prognosis. Binary Logistic regression analysis revealed that liver cirrhosis, the EULAR Sjögren's syndrome disease activity index (ESSDAI) scores and the level of total bilirubin were the prognostic factors of mortality in the pSS patients with ALD. The survival curve was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. It demonstrated that the pSS patients with ALD had a lower survival rate when compared with the controls. CONCLUSION The patients with both pSS and ALD will suffer from a more severe disease and a higher death incident. We should pay more attention to these patients and provide a better symptomatic treatment for them during clinical practice.
Hepatitis, Autoimmune/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sjogren's Syndrome/epidemiology*

OBJECTIVETo determine the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of an ovarian mass which are most predictive of malignancy and assess the value of intravenous gadolinium administration in the characterization of an ovarian mass.

METHODSTotally 74 consecutive patients with a clinically or sonographically indeterminate adnexal mass underwent MR imaging, of whom 59 had subsequent surgical resection of 70 adnexal masses. These 59 patients formed the study population. MR imaging studies were prospectively and independently reviewed by a senior and a junior radiologist. The senior radiologist also reevaluated the studies in a blind fashion after a minimum 6 months interval. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of contrast-enhanced and unenhanced MR imaging were evaluated.

RESULTSThe most predictive MR imaging findings for malignancy were presence of vegetations in a cystic lesion and presence of necrosis in a solid lesion. The odds ratio was even higher when the ancillary finding of peritoneal metastasis or ascites was present. Contrast media contributed significantly to lesion characterization. Total 70 ovarian masses were detected by contrast-enhanced MR imaging including 37 malignant ovarian masses and 33 benign ovarian masses with 87% (61/70) accuracy, 86% (32/37) sensitivity, 88% (29/33) specificity, 89% (32/36) positive predictive value, and 85% (29/34) negative predictive value, whereas 70 ovarian masses were detected by unenhanced MR imaging with 74% (52/70) accuracy, 73% (27/37) sensitivity, 76% (25/33) specificity, 77% (27/35) positive predictive value, and 71% (25/35) negative predictive value. There were significant differences in accuracy (P < 0.01), sensitivity (P < 0.01), specificity (P < 0.01) between contrast-enhanced and unenhanced MR imaging.

CONCLUSIONContrast-enhanced MR imaging is highly accurate in detection and characterization of complex adnexal masses.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Teratoma ; diagnosis ; pathology

BACKGROUNDThe hypothalamus plays a central role in the regulation of metabolism by sensing metabolic demands and releasing regulatory neurotransmitters. This study investigated the response of the hypothalamus to glucose ingestion in rats by blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI) and immunohistochemical techniques to determine the role of the hypothalamus in glyco-regulation during disturbances in carbohydrate metabolism.

METHODSThe signal intensity of the hypothalamus was monitored by fMRI for 60 minutes after oral glucose intake in 48 healthy rats (age 14 months), which included 24 normal weight rats (weighing (365 +/- 76.5) g) and 24 overweight rats (weighing (714 +/- 83.5) g). Then, 12 rats (6 normal, 6 overweight) underwent a repeat fMRI scan after consuming an equivalent amount of water without glucose on a separate day. The procedure for fMRI with water intake was the same as for glucose ingestion. fMRI data was processed using time cluster analysis and intensity averaging method. After fMRI, the expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the hypothalamus of all rats was determined by immunohistochemistry. Positive cells for NPY or 5-HT were counted.

RESULTSThere was a transient, but significant, decrease in fMRI signal intensity in all rats (mean (3.12 +/- 0.78)%) in the hypothalamus within 19.5 - 25.5 minutes of oral glucose ingestion. In overweight rats, the decrease in signal intensity in response to the glucose ingestion was more markedly attenuated than that observed in normal weight rats ((2.2 +/- 1.5)% vs (4.2 +/- 0.7)% inhibition, t = 2.12, P < 0.05). There was no significant response in the hypothalamus after oral water ingestion. The percentage of NPY positive cells in obese rats were slightly lower than those in control group (21% vs 23%, t = 0.71, P > 0.05); but there was no significant difference between the two groups; the percentage of 5-HT positive cells in obese rats were significantly lower than those in the control group (22% vs 31%, t = 3.25, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThere is a transient, but significant, decrease in BOLD signal intensity in the hypothalamus following glucose ingestion, which is similar to that observed in humans. The response of the hypothalamus to glucose ingestion was different in overweight and normal weight rats. The percentage of NPY positive cells in obese rats were lower than those in the control group, although this difference was not statistically significant. The percentage of 5-HT positive cells in obese rats was significantly lower than those in the control group.

Animals ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Hypothalamus ; physiology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Neuropeptide Y ; analysis ; Obesity ; metabolism ; Oxygen ; blood ; Rats ; Serotonin ; analysis

Objective:To investigate the toxic effect of chlorambucil combined with ibrutinib on mantle cell lymphoma(MCL)cell line Jeko-1 and its related mechanism.Methods:The MCL cell line Jeko-1 was incubated with different concentrations of chlorambucil or ibrutinib or the combination of the two drugs,respectively.CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation of the cells,and Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of BCL-2,caspase-3,PI3K,AKT and P-AKT.Results:After Jeko-1 cells were treated with chlorambucil(3.125,6.25,12.5,25,50 μmol/L)and ibrutinib(3.125,6.25,12.5,25,50 μmol/L)alone for 24,48,72h respectively,the cell proliferation was inhibited in a time-and dose-dependent manner.Moreover,the two drugs were applied in combination at low doses(single drug inhibition rate＜50％),and the results showed that the combination of two drugs had a more significant inhibitory effect(all P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the apoptosis rate of the single drug group of chlorambucil(3.125,6.25,12.5,25,50 μmol/L)and ibutinib(3.125,6.25,12.5,25,50 μmol/L)was increased in a dose-dependent manner.The combination of the two drugs at low concentrations(3.125,6.25,12.5 μmol/L)could significantly increase the apoptosis rate compared with the corresponding concentration of single drug groups(all P＜0.05).Compared with control group,the protein expression levels of caspase-3 in Jeko-l cells were upregulated,while the protein expression levels of BCL-2,PI3K,and p-AKT/AKT were downregulated after treatment with chlorambucil or ibrutinib alone.The combination of the two drugs could produce a synergistic effect on the expressions of the above-mentioned proteins,and the differences between the combination group and the single drug groups were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion:Chlorambucil and ibrutinib can promote the apoptosis of MCL cell line Jeko-1,and combined application of the two drugs shows a synergistic effect,the mechanism may be associated with the AKT-related signaling pathways.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the follow-up efficacy and safety on slow transit constipation (STC) treated with individualized deep puncture at Tianshu (ST 25).

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-eight cases of STC were randomized into a deep puncture group (64 cases), a western medication group (31 cases) and a shallow puncture group (33 cases) at the ratio of 2:1:1. In the deep puncture group, electroacupuncture of deep puncture was applied to bilateral Tianshu (ST 25). The needle was inserted perpendicularly and slowly at the acupoint and went deeply till penetrating the peritoneum, about 20 to 65 mm in depth. In the western medication group, lactulose oral liquid was prescribed for oral administration. In the shallow puncture group, electroacupuncture of shallow puncture was done at bilateral Tianshu (ST 25). The needle was inserted perpendicularly and slowly, 5 to 8 mm in depth. The treatment lasted 4 weeks in the three groups and the follow-up visit of 12 weeks and 6 month after treatment was performed respectively. The weekly defecation frequency, patient's satisfaction and safety of deep puncture at Tianshu (ST 25) were assessed before and after treatment in each group.

RESULTSIn the deep puncture group, the weekly defecation frequency was (1.79 +/- 1.05) times/week before treatment and was (3.90 +/- 1.43) times/week after 4-week treatment. It was (3.49 +/- 1.46) times/week in 12-week follow-up visit after treatment and was (3.51 +/- 1.42) times/week in 6-month follow-up visit after treatment. In the deep puncture group, the improvements in weekly defecation frequency, patient's satisfaction and short-term efficacy were same as those in the western medication group and the shallow puncture group (all P > 0.05). The long-term efficacy in follow-up visit was better remarkably than that in the western medication group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Besides, the combined medication was reduced and no adverse reaction occurred.

CONCLUSIONThe individualized deep puncture at Tianshu (ST 25) is effective in the treatment of STC and achieves the satisfactory long-term efficacy. This therapy displays the good effective advantage and deserves to be promoted in clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion therapeutic program as compared with the first-tier line of medication, lactulose oral liquid, recommended at home and abroad, in terms of the evidence-based medicine.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; psychology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Satisfaction ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDA multi-center large scale study is needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of domestic peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions. Some researchers believe that 6 L/d is enough for adequate dialysis, but there is no multi-center prospective study on Chinese population to confirm this. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of domestic PD solution (Changfu) and its difference between 6 L and 8 L dosage.

METHODSAdult PD patients who had taken PD therapy for at least one month were selected and divided into four groups according to two dialysis solution brands and two dialysis dosages, i.e., 6 L dose with Changfu dialysis solution, 6 L dose with Baxter dialysis solution, 8 L dose with Changfu dialysis solution, and 8 L dose with Baxter dialysis solution. After 48 weeks, the changes of primary and secondary efficacy indices were compared between different types and different dosages. We also analyzed the changes of safety indices.

RESULTSChanges of Kt/V from baseline to 48 weeks between Changfu and Baxter showed no statistical differences; so did those of creatinine clearance rate (Ccr). Normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) from baseline to 48 weeks between Changfu and Baxter showed no statistical differences; so did those of net ultrafiltration volume (nUF) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Changes of nPCR from baseline to 48 weeks between 6 L and 8 L showed no statistical differences; so did those of nUF and eGFR. The decline of Kt/V from baseline to 48 weeks in 6 L group was more than that in 8 L group. Change of Ccr was similar. During the 48-week period, the mean Kt/V was above 1.7/w, and mean Ccr was above 50 L×1.73 m(-2)×w(-1). More adverse events were found in Changfu group before Changfu Corporation commenced technology optimization, and the statistical differences disappeared after that.

CONCLUSIONSThe domestic PD solution (Changfu) was proven to be as effective as Baxter dialysis solution. During 48-week period, a dosage of 6 L/d was enough for these patients to reach adequate PD. Clinical study promotes technological optimization, further helps to improve the safety indices of the medical products.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Dialysis Solutions ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; methods ; Young Adult

This study was purposed to understand the infection of HBV, HCV, HIV among the voluntary blood donors and the epidemic trend in infectious population in Chinese Nanjing area, and to guide the mobilization and recruitment of blood donors. A total of 199777 whole blood samples of voluntary blood donors were tested by ELISA, the nucleic acid technology (NAT) combined detection (HBV-DNA, HCV-RNA, HIV-RNA) was added for detection of the samples with HBsAg,anti-HCV, anti-HIV at least unilateral negative donors from June 10, 2010 to June 9, 2013 years, and these statistic data were analyzed. Every HIV reactive sample(HIV-antibody and/or HIV-RNA) was sent to be confirmed in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Nanjing. The results showed that the voluntary donors' infection rate of HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV were 0.45%, 0.28%, 0.11% respectively; NAT positive rate was 0.07%, 32 cases were confirmed with anti-HIV positive, in which 30 cases were male (6 cases were repeated blood donors) and 2 cases were female, 3 cases were unconfirmed, in which 2 cases were males and 1 case was female. The statistical analysis demonstrated that the difference of unqualitative rate of HBsAg, anti-HCV, anti-HIV was statistically significant between the first-time and repeated blood donors.It is concluded that the positive rate of anti-HCV and anti-HIV displayed a declining trend year by year in Nanjing voluntary blood donation population from June 10,2010 to June 9, 2013 years. The unqualitative rate of HBsAg and NAT increased with the age increasing, while that of anti-HCV, anti-HIV decreased with age increasing. The unqualitative rate of the repeated blood donors is far lower than that of the first-time blood donors. The ELISA positive rate of anti-HIV testing in females is higher than that in males, but the confirmed positive rate of male is significantly higher than that of female. Therefore the consulting skills before donating should be improved, concerning the link of recruiting donors, focusing on strengthening the first-time donors' consultation, evaluating and developing the fixed voluntary blood donors, and vigorously popularizing NAT technology in blood screening to improve the blood safety effectively.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Donors ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; HIV Infections ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis C ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Background: Automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) can cater to individual needs, provide treatment while asleep, take into account the adequacy of dialysis, and improve the quality of life. Currently, independent research and development of APD machines made in China are more conducive to patients. A randomized, multicenter, crossover study was conducted by comparing an APD machine made in China with an imported machine. The safety, effectiveness, and manipulability of the two machines were compared. Methods: Two hundred and sixty patients who underwent peritoneal dialysis (PD) on a regular basis in 18 centers between August 2015 and February 2016 were included. The inclusion criteria include age ≥18 years and PD ≥30 days. The exclusion criteria were as follows: hemodialysis; exit site or tunnel infection; and peritonitis ≤30 days. The patients were randomly divided into Group A, who were first treated with a FM machine made in China, then changed to an imported machine; and Group B, who were treated using the reverse sequence. APD treatment was performed with 10 L/10 h and 5 cycles of exchange. After 72 h, the daily peritoneal Kt/V, the accuracy of the injection rate, accuracy of the injection temperature, safety, and manipulability of the machine were assessed. Noninferiority test was conducted between the two groups. Results: The daily peritoneal Kt/V in the APD machine made in China and the imported APD machine were 0.17 (0.14, 0.25) and 0.16 (0.13, 0.23), respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups (Z = 0.15, P = 0.703). The lower limit of the daily Kt/V difference between the two groups was 0.0069, which was greater than the noninferiority value of -0.07 in this study. The accuracy of the injection rate and injection temperature was 89.7% and 91.5%, respectively, in the domestic APD machine, which were both slightly better than the accuracy rates of 84.0% and 86.8% in the imported APD machine (89.7% vs. 84.0%, P = 0.2466; 91.5% vs. 86.8%, P = 0.0954). Therefore, the APD machine made in China was not inferior to the imported APD machine. The fuselage of the imported APD machine was space-saving, while the APD machine made in China was superior with respect to body mobility, man-machine dialog operation, alarm control, and patient information recognition. Conclusions: The FM machine made in China was not inferior to the imported APD machine. In addition, the FM machine made in China had better operability. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02525497; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=&term=NCT02525497&cntry=& state=&city=&dist=.
Adult ; China ; Cross-Over Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multicenter Studies as Topic ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Quality of Life ; Temperature