60 curved root canals of permanent teeth with angles of curvature ranging from 15°to 40°(Schneider's methodology)were prepared using the instruments of Hyflex CM(HC) and ProTaper(PT) Universal respectively(n=30).Using standardized pre-and post-instrumentation paralleling periapical radiographs,canal curvature was determined by image analysis software and the clinical shaping effect of Hyflex CM and ProTaper rotary NiTi files were compared.The canal curvature in group HC and PT decreased by 4.54°±3.25° and 5.63°±3.84° respectively(between pre-and post-treatment in both groups,P<0.05;between groups,P>0.05).Hyflex CM can meet the clinical necessity for the instrumentation of curved root canals.

Objective:To investigate the effects of a deep deltoid ligament injury on postoperative ankle function and pain in patients with pronation-external rotation ankle fractures.Methods:Thirty patients with pronation-external rotation ankle fractures without deep deltoid ligament injury admitted to Weihai Municipal Hospital from March 2019 to March 2020 were included in the control group. Thirty patients with pronation-external rotation ankle fractures with deep deltoid ligament injury admitted to the same hospital from April 2020 to June 2021 were included in the observation group. Both groups received reduction and internal fixation of pronation-external rotation ankle fractures. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score, pain, and quality of life were compared between the two groups.Results:At 1 and 3 months after surgery, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores in the observation group were (69.87 ± 2.89) points and (75.66 ± 4.27) points, which were significantly lower than (81.45 ± 4.78) points, and (93.62 ± 3.54) points in the control group ( t = 11.35, 17.37, both P < 0.01). At 1 and 3 months after surgery, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores in the observation group were (7.16 ± 1.15) points and (5.84 ± 0.52) points, respectively, which were significantly higher than (6.42 ± 0.54) points and (4.28 ± 0.16) points in the control group ( t = 3.19, 15.70, both P < 0.05). At 3 months after surgery, the scores of physical health, mental health, social relationship, and surrounding environment in the observation group were (19.18 ± 1.96) points, (18.67 ± 1.82) points, (17.42 ± 2.54) points, (19.65 ± 2.43) points, respectively, which were significantly lower than (21.65 ± 3.58) points, (23.57 ± 3.56) points, (20.09 ± 3.95) points, (22.38 ± 3.67) points in the control group ( t = 3.31, 6.71, 3.11, 3.39, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Deep deltoid ligament injury affects the recovery of pronation-external rotation ankle fracture and affects the quality of life. Therefore, it is necessary to repair deep deltoid ligament injury in time in patients with pronation-external rotation ankle fractures.

Objective:This study aimed at analyzing risk factors associated with surgical outcomes of neonatal total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) in our center.Methods:A total of 105 neonates who underwent surgical repair for TAPVC from January 1st, 2009 to January 1st, 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The anatomical types of TAPVC included supracardiac 42(40%, 42/105), cardiac 21(20%, 21/105), infracardiac 36(34.3%, 36/105), and mixed 6(5.7%, 6/105). The Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to analyze the risk factors related to postoperative pulmonary venous obstruction (PVO) and mortality. Kaplan- Meier analysis was used to analyze the overall survival rates. Results:Twenty-six patients (24.8%, 26/105) were diagnosed with preoperative PVO. The 30-day, 1 year, and 5 years survival rate was 92.4%, 86.7%, and 86.7% respectively. Postoperative PVO occurred in 17 patients (16.2%, 17/105). Preoperative acidosis, low surgical weight, prolonged duration of cardiopulmonary bypass time, increasing postoperative central venous pressure (CVP), and reoperation were risk factors associated with mortality. Preoperative acidosis ( P<0.001), prolonged duration of cardiopulmonary bypass time ( P<0.001), and increasing postoperative CVP ( P=0.005) were independent risk factors for mortality. Mixed TAPVC, preoperative acidosis, low surgical age, prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time, postoperative pulmonary arterial hypertension were risk factors associated with postoperative PVO. Prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time ( P=0.029), postoperative pulmonary arterial hypertension ( P<0.001), and mixed TAPVC ( P=0.017) were independent risk factors associated with postoperative PVO. Conclusion:The surgical outcomes of neonatal TAPVC in our center were acceptable, with low mortality rate and incidence of PVO. However, neonates with preoperative acidosis, prolonged duration of cardiopulmonary bypass time, and increased postoperative CVP had a poor prognosis. Patients with mixed TAPVC were at increased risk for postoperative PVO.

Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by angiotensin II (Ang II) in vivo and in vitro. In long-term treatment, adult Wistar rats were infused with Ang II for three weeks via osmotic mini-pumps and some of them were given intragastrically of STS. Left ventricle was isolated; the ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were determined and heart morphometry was assessed after hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results indicated STS inhibited Ang II-induced increases in myocyte diameter and decreased the LVW/BW ratio independent of decreasing systolic blood pressure. In vitro, treatment of cultured cardiomyocytes with STS inhibited Ang II-induced increase in cell size, protein synthesis, ANP expression, activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and ERK kinase (MEK). Then we reexamined the mechanism of STS-induced anti-hypertrophic effects. Results revealed MEK inhibitor U0126 (20 microM) markedly enhanced STS-induced depressions in [3H]leucine incorporation and ANP expression. In conclusion, MEK/ERK pathway plays a significant role in the anti-hypertrophic effects of STS.
Rats, Wistar ; Rats ; Phenanthrenes/chemistry/*pharmacology ; Myocytes, Cardiac/*drug effects/enzymology/pathology ; Molecular Structure ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases/*metabolism ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/*drug effects ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/*metabolism ; Enzyme Activation/drug effects ; Cardiomegaly/chemically induced/enzymology/*metabolism/pathology ; Animals ; Angiotensin II/*antagonists & inhibitors/pharmacology

Objective    To study the clinical characteristics of patients with partial and transitional atrioventricular septal defects (P/TAVSDs) in our hospital, and to evaluate the early follow-up outcomes from a real-world research perspective. Methods    The clinical data of all patients diagnosed with P/TAVSDs from January 1, 2018 to July 12, 2020, in our hospital were collected, and all patients' examination results were used as the real-world follow-up data, univariable Cox risk proportional model was used to analyze the outcomes. A total of 93 patients were finally included in the analysis, 72 with partial and 21 with transitional AVSD. There were 38 males and 55 females at age of 182.0 months (20.0 d to 779.5 months). Results    Univariable Cox proportional risk model suggested that at least one cardiac malformation (HR=15.00, 95%CI 3.00 to 75.00, P=0.001), preoperative moderate or greater mitral regurgitation (HR=6.60, 95%CI 1.70 to 26.00, P=0.007), and preoperative moderate or greater tricuspid regurgitation (HR=13.00, 95%CI 3.10 to 51.00, P<0.000 1) were  risk factors for moderate or greater postoperative atrioventricular valve regurgitation. Conclusion    Children with coarctation of the aorta or partial pulmonary vein connection, moderate or greater preoperative mitral regurgitation, and moderate or greater preoperative tricuspid regurgitation need to be alerted to the risk of moderate or greater postoperative atrioventricular valve regurgitation. Real-world data, with relaxed statistical P values and combined expertise, can suggest clinical conclusions that are close to those of high-quality retrospective studies.

Objective    To review the characteristics of patients who underwent atrioventricular septal defects (AVSD) repair with prosthetic valve ring implantation in our hospital, and to analyze the safety and effectiveness of this intervention. Methods    The clinical data of all patients diagnosed with AVSD who received surgery repair and prosthetic valve ring implantation from January 1, 2018 to July 12, 2020 in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital were collected and analyzed. There were 22 patients with 9 males and 13 females at a median age of 35.00 (14.10, 53.00) years. There were 9 (40.9%) patients with prosthetic half or full rings placed on the left atrioventricular valve and 18 (81.8%) patients with prosthetic half or full rings placed on the right atrioventricular valve. Results    The median postoperative hospital stay was 7.00 (6.00, 8.80) d, and the postoperative mechanically assisted ventilation time was 11.00 (6.25, 19.00) h. There were 2 (9.1%) patients of moderate or higher postoperative atrioventricular valve regurgitation, 1 on the left and 1 on the right. There was one patient (4.5%) of the postoperative residual septal defect. There was no left ventricular inflow or outflow tract obstruction and no postoperative residual atrial septal defect during the follow-up of 152.00 (124.00, 1 030.00) d. Conclusion    Implantation of a prosthetic ring is safe and effective in patients with AVSD, and the structural strength of  the ring may be improved after the implantation. The physiological development of the AVSD annulus after prosthetic ring implantation and the results of long-term follow-up needs further attention.