AIM: To prepare α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP)/calcium polyphosphate (CPP) fiber and to study the feasibility of CPP fiber to reinforce calcium phosphate bone cement composites. METHODS: Firstly,α-TCP powder was synthesized using chemical sediment method. Secondly, the α-TCP was mixed with CPP fiber according to different contents and lengths. Finally, bone cement was tempered with firming agent. Solidification time and mechanical property of the samples were measured. Microstructure of hardened sample was observed with scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: When the amount of CPP fibers was 10% and the length was 2 mm, the compressive strength reached 62.5 MPa and the rupture strength reached 12.4 MPa. Scanning electron microscope suggested that CPP fibers with great associativity were well distributed in bone cement. After immersing in Ringer fluid for two months, the CPP fibers did not biodegrade obviously and still had certain function to increase strength and toughness. CONCLUSION: To a certain extent, the CPP fiber can increase strength and toughness of bone cement. Furthermore, α-TCP/CPP composites have good mechanical properties and biocompatibility.

BACKGROUND:When bone cement solidifies fast,the bone cement consistency will be decreased.resulting in difficulty in molding.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:Open experiment,performed in the Laboratory of Department of Materials,Lanzhou Jiaotong University between March 2005 and August 2006.gelatin were mixed with citric acid to produce hardening liquid.Then bone cement power and hardening liquid were mixed to form a paste,I.e.,bone cement.METHODS:Setting time of bone cement was determined using a Vicat apparatus.The compressive strength of bone cement at different proportions was tested using MTS-810 material tester.After 2 months of physiological saline soaking at 37℃.the microstructure of solidified bone cement was observed using scanning electron microscope.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Setting time and compressive strength of bone cement,pH value of hydrated bone cement and the microstructure.RESULTS:After adding chitosan and gelatin in the hardening liquid.the consistency of the concoction obviously increased,the setting time became a little longer and the water-resistance of samples was enhanced.therefore the samples could be easily molded.But the compressive strength of the bone cement decreased a little.The pH value of the hydrated bone cement increased gradually with time and was close to the pH value of physiological saline at hour 24.The compressive strength of bone cement was achieyed at 24 hours and it almost did not change after 48 hours.the drawback of ceramic HA,including sintering and difficulties in shaping.It has the characteristics of simple-producing,easy application and low heat energy.

Objective To observe the effect of enteral nutrition therapy on metabolic status and adiponectin levels in elderly patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) complicated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods 92 elderly hospitalized patients with mild to moderate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease underwent enteral nutrition (EN,n=46) and total parenteral nutrition (TPN,n=46) for 2 months.Body mass index,triceps skin-fold thickness,waist hip ratio,serum high-molecular weight (HMW) form of adiponectin,fasting blood glucose,postprandial 2-hour blood glucose,glycosylated hemoglobin,plasma insulin,alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,γ-glutamyltransferase,total bilirubin,direct bilirubin,total cholesterol,triglyceride,low density lipoprotein cholesterol,high density lipoprotein cholesterol,the blood pressure and liver ultrasound test were detected.The insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was used to assess insulin resistance.Results In pre-versus post-treatment,serum level of HMW adiponectin [(6.8 ± 4.0) μg/L vs.(7.1 ± 3.9) μg/L,P ＞ 0.05 in enteral nutrition],and [(6.8 ± 3.5) μg/L vs.(5.0 ± 1.1)μg/L(P＜0.05)] in parenteral nutrition were found.The significantly decreased body mass index in the obese patients (P＜0.05),significantly improved values of 2-hour blood glucose,glycated hemoglobin,liver function,triglycerides,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (all P＜0.05),and no obvious change in HOMA-IR were found after two months of enteral nutrition treatment.There were no significant changes in indicators mentioned above in TPN group after 2 months of treatment.Conclusions Enteral nutrition therapy can improve the glucose metabolism,lipid metabolism,the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and body mass index,affect the level of adiponectin in the elderly patients with MS and NAFLD.It is vital to body metabolism.

Objective:To analyze the failure factors in root canal therapy(RCT)by analysis of the failed cases.Methods:215 teeth of 206 patients were analyzed according to former treatment records,clinical examination,pretreatment radiographs,and root canal exploration during endodontic retreatment.Results:67.9% of failed teeth showed apical radiolucency,12.6% showed under-filled canal material without apical radiolucent area,and 8.4% involved coronal leakage.When examined with X ray,84.2% of teeth indicated under-filling,and most canals of premolars and molars had poor taper.Most missed root canals were found in maxillary first molars and premolars.18.1% of teeth had complications such as ledge and apical transportation.Conclusions:The factors associated with RCT failure involve cleaning,obturation and poor seal of root canal system resulted from inadequate shaping.Coronal leakage and missed canals also contribute to the endodontic treatment failure.

Objective To analyze the prevalence of complications following catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation and to describe the characteristics of transition of complications.Methods From October 2004 to December 2008,2 260 cases(1 265 males)with atrial fibrillation(AF)were admitted for catheter ablation.AF was paroxysmal in 1 449 cases and chronic in 811 cases.Circumferential pulmonary vein isolation(CPVI)was carried out alone for paroxysmal AF and in combination with fractionated electrograms ablation for chronic AF.Complications were summarized and analyzed by dividing the whole duration into three sections:Year 2004-2006,Year 2007 and Year 2008.Results Complications occurred in 61 cases(2.70%).Cardiac tamponade developed in 11 cases,embolism in 18 cases,pulmonary vein stenosis in 14 cases,and vessel access related complications in 18 cases.In Year 2004-2006,cardiac tamponade occurred in 5 cases,cerebral embolism in 3 cases,mesenteric artery embolism in 1 case,pulmonary vein stenosis in 6 cases,and vessel access related complications in 6 cases.In Year 2007,cardiac tamponade occurred in 4 cases,cerebral embolism in 3 cases,Mesenteric artery embolism in 1 case,pulmonary vein stenosis in 4 cases,and vessel access related complications in 5 cases.In Year 2008,cardiac tamponade occurred in 2 cases,cerebral embolism in 7 cases,mesenteric artery embolism in 3 cases,pulmonary vein stenosis in 4 cases,and vessel access related complications in 7 cases.There was no significant difference in the prevalence of complications among three sections.The prevalence of cardiac tamponade was lower in Year 2008 compared with that in the other two sections,P=0.5.However,the prevalence of embolism was higher in Year 2008 compared with that in the other two the sections,P=0.2.Conclusion It is safe to perform catheter ablation for the treatment of AF.Despite the improvement of technical skills,the prevalence of severe complications such as cardial tamponade,pulmonary vein stenosis or stroke did not decrease.

The brains from four newborns were used in this study. After continuous artery-vein injection with coloured materials, the brains were embedded in nitrocellulose. and coronal sections of 500?m, 100?m and 30?m in thickness were prepared in alternative and successive sequence. The 500?m sections were cleared in wintergreen oil and mounted, and the 100?m and 30?m sections were stained with thionin. The diameter and density of capillaries in thalamus and its adjacent structures were measured by means of Leitz MPV-Tasplus multifunction image analyser. All the data were dealt with variance and correlation analysis statistically. The capillary density of the thalamus and its adjacent structures varied obviously. The value in putamen, cellular layers of lateral geniculate body, anterior thalamic nucleus and subthalamic nucleus was the highest; while the value in dorsomedial nucleus, ventral lateral nucleus, pulvinar nucleus, ventral posterior lateral nucleus, lateral posterior nucleus, centromedian nucleus, medial geniculate body, ventral anterior nucleus and internal medullary lamina was the intermediate; however, the value in internal capsule and fibrous layers of lateral geniculate body was the lowest. The capillary diameter of ventral anterior nucleus and internal capsule was the widest; that of putamen and cellular layers of lateral geniculate body was the smallest; the rest was the intermediate. In the same measured structures, negtive correlation was shown between the capillary diameter and density.

The course, distribution of the intrathalamic vessels on 8 sides of newborn brains were studied by means of the continuous artery-vein infusion, Spalteholz's clearing and Nissl's staining. The brains were all cut into the coronal sections of 500 ?m, 100?m and 30?m thickness in alternate and successive order. The main arteries supplying thalamic nuclei were: 1. The thalamoperforating artery; 2. The geniculothalamic artery; 3. The medial posterior choroidal artery; 4. The medial inferior pulvinar artery; 5. The lateral ventricular choroidal artery. The thalamic veins opened respectively into the internal cerebral vein, the veins of the lateral ventricle, the veins of the interpeduncular fossa and the basal vein. There were three patterns of course relation between thalamic arteries and veins. They were solitariness, accompanying and one vein surrounded by several arteries.

Objectives To study a correlation between Helicobacter pylori Infection and reflux esophagitis in the elderly.Methods In a prospective study,180 cases of elderly patients with confirmed diagnosis of reflux esophagitis were consecutively recruited in our hospital from 2010-2016 years.180 reflux esophagitis patients were divided into three groups:non-HP infection group(group A,n=78),and 102 HP infection patients were subdivided into B1 group(n=51)with single-drug therapy and B2 group(n=51)with multiple drugs therapy.The groups A and B1 were treated with only esomeprazole 20 mg/bid for 8 weeks.The group B2 was treated with esomeprazole 20 mg/bid for 8 weeks,colloidal bismuth 200 mg/bid for 2 weeks plus two kinds of antibiotics(taking any 2 of the following 3:Amoxicillin 1 000 mg/bid,Clarithromycin 500 mg/bid and tinidazole 500 mg/bid)for 2 weeks.Gastroscope and cognate biopsy,helicobacter pylori detection,and 24 h esophagus pH monitoring was performed before and after the therapy.Results Group A,B1 and B2 showed that the total effective rate of symptoms improvement were more than 95.0% in post-versus pre-treatment(P<0.05),the gastro scope evidence-based total effective rate of reflux esophagitis were 84.6%、80.4%、82.4%(66/78,41/51,42/51)after therapy(P<0.05),and 24 h esophagus pH was significantly improved(P<0.05)after therapy.But the differences in above indexes showed no statistical significance between three groups(P>0.05).After HP eradication therapy,HP negative rate was 90.2%(46/51)in multiple drugs group.Conclusions Reflux esophagitis in elderly patients with Helicobacter pylori infection can be treated with anti-HP drugs,but the treatment should include drugs inhibiting gastric acid,so as to effectively prevent the progress of reflux esophagitis.There is no clear correlation between irritation of esophagus by reflux contents and Helicobacter pylori infection.

Objective To analyze the distribution of key target sites(KTSs) during initial circumferential pulmonary vein isolation(CPVI) for atrial fibrillation(AF) and during re-ablation.Methods Forty eight cases(30 males,average age 54.3?10.2 years) with recurrent AF were enrolled.AF was paroxysmal in 24 cases and persistent in 24 cases.Re-ablation was performed 37.2?7.4 days after initial CPVI.KTS was defined as the target sites where pulmonary vein potentials(PVPs) delayed,conduction sequence changed,PVPs slowed down or PV isolated during ablation.Circumferential pulmonary vein(PV) lesions were divided eaqually into 8 segments.KTSs were analyzed during initial CPVI and re-ablation.Results One hundred and forty five KTSs were identified during initial CPVI.The mean KTSs per case were 3.02?1.08,compared with 1.58?1.09 during re-ablation,P

Objective To evaluate the electrophysiological mechanism of early recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias(ATa) after initial ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(AF)and the feasibility of early re-ablation.Methods Forteen cases(8 males,average age of 61.8?8.4 years) presented with early recurrent ATa within 1 month after initial ablation were included.Early recurrence was observed after a mean of 4.9?3.7 days post-ablation.During re-ablation,all pulmonary vein(PV) reconnection was re-isolated,and AF induction was applied to map and ablate non-PV triggers.ECG and Holter monitor was applied to evaluate the effect.Results Re-ablation was performed after a mean follow-up of 24.7?5.5 days after the first ablation.PV re-connection was identified in 13 cases(92.9%) and was re-isolated by closing conduction gaps along initial lesion lines.By AF induction,superior vena cava(SVC) originated AF was detected in 3 cases and was terminated by SVC isolation.Upper crista terminalis(CT) foci was found in 1 case which was eliminated by focal ablation.Typical atrial flutter(AFL) in 3 cases and left atrial AFL in 1 case were terminated by linear ablation.At the end of follow-up of 5.8?1.4 months,13 cases were free from ATa recurrence and anti-arrhythmic drugs.Paroxymal ATa was observed in 1 case which could be suppressed by verapamil.Conclusion PV re-connection is the main influencing factor of early recurrence of ATa after initial ablation for paroxysmal AF.Other factors include foci located in SVC and CT.Early re-ablation is feasible and effective.