BACKGROUND:Studies have confirmed that the surface treatment methods such as silane coupling agent and sand blasting could improve bonding strength of zirconia ceramics and resin binder. In addition, the increase of micro cracks on the surface of zirconia ceramics can also improve the bonding strength of zirconia ceramics and resin binder. But there is a lack of related studies addressing whether repeatedly sintering would have an impact on shear bond strength of zirconia ceramics.
OBJECTIVE:To determine the effect of decorative porcelain temperature firing on the shear bond strength between dental zirconia ceramics and resin binder.
METHODS:Twenty pieces of zirconia ceramics specimens were selected from 40 tablets, and then randomly divided into five groups according to the number of sintered times:control group (without sintering), sintering groups for 2, 4, 6, 8 times. Heat starting temperature was 500 ℃, and final temperature was 1 000 ℃ with a heating rate of 55 ℃/min. The vacuum time was 7 minutes. During the sintering, the final temperature was constant. Unsintered ceramic pieces were bonded using resin binder. Universal testing machine was used to test the shear strength of the interface between the two pieces of zirconia ceramics. The interface after shearing was characterized by scanning electron microscope.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The shear strength of sintering groups for 4, 6, 8 times was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). Shear strength of specimens sintered twice was slightly higher than that of specimens without sintering, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). Shear strength of specimens sintered 8 times was slightly higher than that sintered 4 and 6 times (P<0.05). Under the scanning electron microscope, there was no crack on the surface of non-sintered zirconia ceramics. After 2 times sintering, the surface appeared to have fine cracks. After sintering 4 times, visible cracks were increased. After six rounds of sintering, the surface began to have significant changes;cracks rose along with slight gaps and a smal amount of adhesive residues were found. After sintering for 8 times, cracks and voids were obviously increased on the sintered surface and adhesive residues were found. It indicated that after sintering for 4, 6 and 8 times, zirconia ceramics could have a good shear strength binding to resin adhesives;with the increasing of sintering times, the shear bond strength could be increased.

Objective To investigate the prevalence, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and the influence on procreation of uterine malformation. Methods Totally 225 women with uterine malformation referred to our hospital from Mar 1990 to Jan 2005 were involved in this retrospective analysis.The constituent ratio, clinical feature, diagnosis, treatment and the influence on procreation were analyzed.Results (1) Among 225 cases of uterine malformation, 125 cases (55.6%) were septate uterus; 122(97.6%, 122/125 ) of these patients became pregnant, but always associated with a high risk of reproductive failure and obstetrical complications, such as abortion, abnormal fetal presentation, premature rupture of membrane. (2) Among 51 cases (22. 2%, 51/225 ) of didelphia, 50 cases (98%, 50/51 )became pregnant without any influence from this malformation. Five cases were combined with urinary system complication. (3) Among 26 cases (9.7%, 26/225 ) of rudimentary horn of uterus, 4 cases (15%, 4/26)became pregnant, and 1 case (4%, 1/26) presented with ipsilateral oviduct ectopic pregnancy; 2 cases (8%, 2/26) were combined with urinary deformities. (4) In 14 cases (6. 2%, 14/225) of bicornuate uterus, 1 case (7%, 1/14) presented with urinary tract abnormalities; gestations were more common, but due to the uterine structural abnormality, recurrent miscarriage and premature delivery were unavoidable.(5) Others: none came up with sterility in 4 cases (1. 8%, 4/225) of saddle shaped uterus. All the three cases ( 1.3% , 3/225) of ametria were with the chief complaint of primary amenorrhea. Two cases of unicornis uterus (0.9%, 2/225) were both complicated with sterility, while neither with urinary system deformities. Conclusions Among uterine malformations, septate uterine is the most common type. Septate uterus, didelphic uterus, bicornuate and rudimentary horn of uterus do not affect pregnancy, but can cause different complications. Unicornis uterus always causes sterility. Uterus malformations often come up with urinary system deformities.

Objective To investigate the effect of diuretics combined with the new class volume-removing drugs nesiritide and tolvaptan on refractory heart failure (RHF).Methods We collected 78 patients with RHF from cardiovascular ICU in our hos-pital,and patients were divided into combined volume-removing drugs treatment group (CVR group)and traditional diuretics com-bined with inotropic treatment group (control group).We observed the differences in the heart failure symptoms control rate and the average hospitalization days between the two groups.The difference in average urine volume and weight loss during hospitaliza-tion was observed.Results The heart failure symptoms were controlled and successful discharge in 89.7% of patients in CVR group,which was better than that in control group(71.8%).The corresponding rates of death or abandonment was decreased sig-nificantly in CVR group,and the average number of hospitalization days in CVR group was significantly shorter than that in control group(P <0.05).Meanwhile,the average daily urine volume and the weight loss decreased significantly in CVR group than those in control group(P <0.05).Conclusion The therapy strategy of combined volume-removing drugs can significantly improve the vol-ume removing and control rate of heart failure symptoms.

Objective To investigate the factors that induce constipation in bedridden patients undergoing replantation of severed finger and find countermeasures. Methods A retrospective investigation was carried out in 92 patients undergoing replantation of severed finger, their constipation and factors influencing constipation were recorded. Results 61 patients suffered from constipation in total 92 cases,the rate being 66.30%. 76 patients reduced food intake, and 59 cases presented constipation (the rate being 77.63%). Factors influencing constipation included being unaccustomed to defecate in bed (the rate that present with constipation being 87.09%),reluctant to trouble others(75.47%), side effects of drugs(55.56%) and lack of dietary knowledge (71.87%), decreasing food intake was closely bound up with constipation. Conclusions Proper psychological counseling, strengthening of health propaganda, comfortable facility for defecation, improved family support and oral food intake can significantly reduce the proportion of constipation and increase comfort degree of patients.

Objective To explore the electrophysiological properties and the disparity of visual cortical neurons in developing rats. Methods Whole cell patch clamp recording and intracellular labeling of brain slices were performed on rats at postnatal 14 and 28 days. The electrophysiological data were analyzed according to the cellular input resistance and resting membrane potential. Results When the input impedance of visual cortical neurons(IR) was lower, increased peak value of postsynaptic currents(PSCs), prolonged rise and decay time were found. At postnatal 14th day(before eyes opened), the intermediate cells and mature cells were 59.2% and 14.9% respectively, but at postnatal 28th day(14 days after eyes opened), the mature cells and immature cells were 62.5% and 12.5% respectively. Conclusion During the period of postnatal development, the visual cortical neurons become mature gradually, but maturation is not completely correlated with age.

AIM To investigate the effects of Tongluo Xingnao Effervescent Tablets (Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Angelicae sinensis Radix and Scutellariae Radix) on the learning and memory function in SAMP8 mice,and improvements in cognitive function.METHODS Morris water maze was used to evaluate the change of cognitive function in SAMP8 mice after they were treated with Tongluo Xingnao Effervescent Tablets for 60 d,and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD),the concentration of protein carbonyls (PC),the ratio of NAD +/NADH in brain tissue were detected by ELISA,the expression of Nampt,SIRT1 and FOXO3 in hippocampus were measured with immunohistochemical methods.RESULTS Tongluo Xingnao Effervescent Tablets shortened escape latency and obviously increased percentage of time in target quadrant in hidden platform test and increased the times entering the target quadrant in spatial probe test in SAMP8 mice.It evidently enhanced the activity of SOD,the ratio of NAD +/NADH and distinctly decreased the protein carbonyls level.Moreover,Tongluo Xingnao Effervescent Tablets could markedly up-regulate the expression of Nampt and SIRT1,but evidently down-regulate FOXO3 protein expression.CONCLUSION The experimental data show that Tongluo Xingnao Effervescent Tablets can enhance the cognitive function of SAMP8 through regulating Nampt/SIRT1/FOXO3 signal pathway.

Objective To probe the feasibility of susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) for evaluation of renal blood oxygenation level of healthy volunteers after water loading.Methods SWI of 11 healthy volunteers,acquired before (group 1) and after water loading (group 2),were assessed retrospectively by two radiologists with more than 10 years abdominal work experience independently.In those images of the same section plane derived from two groups,the phase values in cortex ((φ)cor) and medulla ((φ)med),difference between the same vein and surrounding tissue on phase map (△(φ)) were measured using SPIN software package,and the oxygen extraction fraction changes (△OEF) was calculated.The (φ)cor,(φ)med and △(φ) between two groups were compared by paired t test.And the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)was used to evaluate the consistency between two radiologists.Results For the radiologist 1,the (φ)cor,(φ)med and △(φ) were (0.046 ±0.019),(-0.014 ±0.003) and (1.3 ±0.4) rad in group 1,and were (0.047 ±0.014),(-0.012 ±0.005) and (1.1 ±0.4) rad in group 2 respectively,and no significant change was found in (φ)cor and (φ)med after water loading (t =-0.589 and-0.206,P ＞ 0.05 in all),except of in △(φ) (t =2.400,P ＜ 0.01).For the radiologist 2,the (φ)cor,(φ)med and △△(φ) were (0.049 ± 0.011),(-0.012 ± 0.004)and (1.5 ±0.4) rad in Group 1,and were (0.046 ±0.017),(-0.011 ±0.003) and (1.3 ±0.2) rad in group 2 respectively,there was no significant change in (φ)cor and (φ)med after water loading (t =0.590 and -0.974,P ＞ 0.05 in all),except of in △(φ) (t =2.760,P ＜ 0.05).Between two radiologists,the ICC of (φ)cor,(φ)med and △(φ) were 0.623,0.472 and 0.328 in group 1 and 0.599,0.442 and 0.445 in group 2 respectively.△OEF decreased about (-4.2 ± 2.3) c％ and (-4.3 ± 2.8) c％ measured by two radiologists respectively,and the consistency is good between two radiologists (ICC =0.784).Conclusion SWI provides a novel method to assess indirectly the oxygenation level of kidney,△OEF is an indicator with suitable reliability.

Objective To investigate methods and clinical effects of limited open reduction of ankle articular surface and locking compression plate (LCP) placement using minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in managing tibial Pilon fractures.Methods Twenty-one patients with tibial Pilon fractures treated between August 2009 and August 2011 were involved in the study,including 16 males and 5 females,at age of 21-68 years (average 42.3 years).According to AO/OTA classification,12 patients were with type 43B fractures and nine with type 43C fractures.There were two patients with open fractures (both Gustilo-Anderson type Ⅰ fractures).Limited open reduction of ankle articular surface plus LCP placement using MIPO were performed.Early functional training without weight-bearing was carried out postoperatively.Results Nineteen patients were followed up for 12-24 months (average 14 months).According to Burwell-Chamley' s radiological evaluation system,17 patients obtained anatomical reduction of articular surface and two patients obtained moderate reduction,but they all had bony healing.Ankle function evaluated by Mazur' s criterion were excellent in seven patients,good in 10 and fair in two,with excellence rate of 89％.Conclusion Limited open reduction combined with LCP internal fixation can successfully construct articular anatomic relationship,decrease soft tissue dissection and attain solid fixation in treatment of Pilon fractures and further facilitate functional recovery of the affected extremity in coordination with early functional exercise.

Eight patients with suspected cases of C .jejuni were etiologically diagnosed and analyzed in this study to pro-vide scientific basis for the confirmation of the cases of human campylobacteriosis in Guizhou Province ,China .Blood or feces of 8 suspected patients were employed to isolate bacteria strains .Conventional and multi-PCR techniques were applied to identify suspicious bacteria strains .The C .jejuni strains were analyzed by using Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) .Suspicious strains of C .jejuni were isolated from all the 8 suspected patients of campylobacteriosis and anticipated genes fragment were detected with multi-PCR .With the digestion of restriction enzyme SmaI ,the 8 C .jejuni strains were divided into 7 PFGE pat-terns with 7-10 DNA bands .Cluster analysis showed that the gross similarity of 8 strains of C . jejuni was more than 50% . The similarity of PFGE patterns between strain GZ201004 and GZ201005 from diarrhea patients was as high as 100% ,while the similarity of strain GZ201201 and GZ201007 was 66 .7% .Moreover ,C . jejuni were detected from all the suspected pa-tients of campylobacteriosis .PFGE results indicated that strains GZ201004 and GZ201005 were from the same source ,while all the 8 isolates showed PFGE polymorphism .

Objective To assess the variations in different thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) detection kits for evaluating thyroid function during pregnancy and to establish the corresponding normal reference ranges.Methods This study was based at the International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine.A total of 200 pregnant women who visited the hospital between June,2011 and September,2012 were recruited in this study according to the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB) criteria.Blood samples were sequentially collected from the women at the first (T1,9-12 weeks),second (T2,16-24 weeks) and third (T3,32-36 weeks) trimesters to determine the serum TSH and FT4 levels using four different detection kits (Siemens-C,Siemens-Ⅰ,Abott and Roche).A linear trend test was used to analyze serum TSH and FT4 levels with four different kits.A percentile range of P2.5 to P97.5 was used to establish the normal trimester-dependent reference ranges of TSH and FT4 levels for different detection kits.The Bootstrap method was used to compare the differences in the four reference ranges.Results Similar dynamic changes in TSH and FT4 levels during pregnancy were detected among the different kits (F=0.950,P=0.595; F=11.640,P=0.081,respectively).Among the four reference ranges of TSH,the Roche kit showed the most remarkable fluctuation during pregnancy,while Roche kit in the first trimester and Siemens C kit in the second and third trimesters showed larger fluctuations in reference ranges of FT4.More importantly,the reference ranges of TSH and FT4 showed significant variations among the four different kits in each trimester (TSH:T1:F=2 945.390,P ＜ 0.01; T2:F=2 826.260,P ＜ 0.01; T3:F=1 698.360,P ＜ 0.01.FT4:Tl:F=1 145.440,P ＜ 0.01; T2:F=2 260.240,P ＜ 0.01; T3:F=1 439.920,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions TSH and FT4 measurement using four different commercial kits showed similar trimester-dependent dynamic changes.However,it is necessary to establish trimester-dependent and detection kit dependent normal reference ranges of TSH and FT4 for thyroid function evaluation for pregnant women.