BACKGROUND:Due to limitations of the physicochemical properties of soft denture liner material itself, whisker has been added in the soft lining material in recent years, so as to enhance its mechanical properties. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of different additive amount of anhydrous calcium sulfate whisker on the mechanical function of self-curing soft denture liner. METHODS: There were six groups in this experiment. Anhydrous calcium sulfate whisker at the mass fraction of 0 (control), 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% was respectively added into self-curing soft liner materials, 10 test specimens in each group, a total of 60 test specimens. The shear bond strength, Shore hardness and tensile strength were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: With the increasing amount of the anhydrous calcium sulfate whisker, the Shore hardness of the soft lining material was increased continuously, and the tensile strength was increased firstly and then reduced. When 3% anhydrous calcium sulfate whisker was added, the bond strength and tensile strength of soft lining material reached the peak. Taken together, the mechanical properties of the soft lining materials became perfect when 3% anhydrous calcium sulfate whisker was added. These results demonstrate that anhydrous calcium sulfate whisker may affect the mechanical properties of self-curing soft liner.

Objective:To assess the age-related differences in the management strategies and outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) under the chest pain center model.Methods:Clinical data of 2 833 patients with ACS were enrolled in the retrospective observational registry between January 2017 and June 2019 at 11 hospitals with chest pain centers in Chengdu. The patients were divided into four groups according to their ages: < 55 years old group ( n = 569), 55-64 years old group ( n = 556), 65-74 years old group ( n = 804), ≥ 75 years old group ( n = 904). The collected data included the patients' demographic characteristics, cardiovascular risk factors, medical history, symptoms and signs of onset, experimental examination, types of ACS and the time from the symptom to the hospital (S-to-D), etc., and the clinical characteristics, management strategies, all-cause mortality in the hospital, and the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) within 1 year after discharge were compared. The primary end point was the clinical outcome of ACS patients in different age groups, including all-cause deaths in the hospital and the incidence of MACCE within 1 year after discharge. The secondary end point was the proportion of ACS patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in different age groups. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of all-cause deaths in ACS patients. Kaplan-Meier curve was used to express the incidence of MACCE within 1 year after discharge in different age groups. Multivariate Cox regression was used to analyze the factors affecting the incidence of MACCE within 1 year after discharge of ACS patients. Results:As age increased, the proportion of male patients gradually decreased, and the percentages of male patients aged < 55 years old, 55-64 years old, 65-74 years old, and ≥ 75 years old were 87.2% (496/569), 77.0% (428/556), 66.4% (534/804), and 60.1% (543/904), respectively; and ACS patients combined with hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke history were more common [the percentages of patients with hypertension aged < 55 years old, 55-64 years old, 65-74 years old, ≥ 75 years old were 41.3% (235/569), 52.2% (290/556), 59.7% (480/804), and 66.9% (605/904); the percentages of diabetes were 18.6% (106/569), 25.5% (142/556), 27.0% (217/804), and 28.2% (255/904); the percentages of coronary heart disease were 10.1% (57/564), 13.9% (77/555), 17.6% (141/803), and 23.7% (213/899); the percentages of stroke were 0.7% (4/564), 4.0% (22/552), 4.5% (36/801), and 8.6% (77/894)]. But the percentages of patients with a history of active smoking, typical chest pain/chest tightness and dyslipidemia were significantly reduced [the percentages of smoking history were 60.2% (340/565), 48.0% (266/554), 33.7% (270/801), and 21.7% (195/899), typical chest pain/chest tightness were 96.9% (536/553), 96.4% (516/535), 91.8% (716/780), 90.2% (776/860); the percentages of dyslipidemia were 11.2% (63/565), 9.2% (51/553), 5.7% (46/802), and 4.9% (44/896)], the time of S-to-D was significantly prolonged [minutes: 176.0 (73.5, 557.0), 194.5 (89.3, 682.3), 221.0 (98.8, 940.5), and 270.0 (115.0, 867.0)], hemoglobin (Hb) level was significantly reduced(g/L: 145.44±17.43, 135.95±19.25, 129.75±19.03, 122.19±20.55), and the incidence of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) increased significantly [18.6% (106/569), 20.5% (114/556), 26.6% (214/804), 26.5% (240/904)], and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The proportion of Killip grade Ⅲ -Ⅳ were the highest in patients aged ≥ 75 years old, 9.0% and 12.6%, respectively. Compared with the groups aged < 55 years old, 55-64 years old, and 65-74 years old, the proportion of patients aged ≥ 75 years old who underwent PCI was the lowest, and the all-cause mortality in the hospital and the incidence of 1-year MACCE of patients underwent PCI were significantly lower than those of patients underwent conservative treatment [6.0% (28/463) vs. 10.4% (45/434), 14.6% (43/294) vs. 24.3 % (55/226), both P < 0.05]. As age increased, the hospital all-cause mortality and the 1-year MACCE incidence increased (all-cause mortality rates in < 55 years old, 55-64 years old, 65-74 years old, ≥ 75 years old groups were 0.9%, 2.2%, 5.5%, 8.3%, and the 1-year MACCE incidences were 5.0%, 6.7%, 13.9%, 18.7%, both P < 0.01). The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age, cardiogenic shock, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the number of vascular disease and underwent PCI were the independent risk factors of all-cause mortality [the odds ratio ( OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were 1.644 (1.356-1.993), 11.794 (7.469-18.621), 2.449 (1.419-4.227), 1.334 (1.096-1.624), 0.391 (0.247-0.619), all P < 0.001]. Cox regression analysis showed that age, STEMI, the number of vascular disease and underwent PCI were independent risk factors of the occurrence of MACCE within 1 year after discharge [hazard ratio ( HR) and 95% CI were 1.354 (1.205-1.521), 1.387 (1.003-1.916), 1.314 (1.155-1.495), 0.547 (0.402-0.745), all P < 0.05]. Conclusions:In the chest pain center model, compared with other age of ACS patients, the proportion of NSTEMI in elderly patients group aged ≥ 75 years old was higher, the proportion of PCI was lower, and the clinical outcome was worse. However, the prognosis of elderly patients receiving PCI treatment was better than the patients receiving conservative treatment.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between sevoflurane-induced cognitive impairment and α1B adrenoceptors (ADRA1B) and ADRA1D in the cerebral cortex of rats.Methods Forty-eight SPF adult Sprague-Dawley rats (half male,half female),weighing 220-260 g,were divided into control group (C group,n =24) and sevoflurane group (S group,n =24) using a random number table method.Group C and group S inhaled air and 3％ sevoflurane,respectively,for 5 h.Eight rats in each group were sacrificed immediately after anesthesia,and the cerebral cortex was removed.Eight rats in each group were selected on days 1 and 7 after anesthesia and underwent Barnes maze test.The rats were then sacrificed,and the cerebral cortex was removed.The expression of ADRA1B and ADRA1D protein and mRNA in cerebral cortex tissues was detected by Western blot and fluorescent quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction,respectively.Results Compared with group C,the number of entering incorrect holes was significantly increased at 1 and 7 days after anesthesia,the latency and total distance to enter the target hole were prolonged,and the expression of ADRA1B and ADRA1D protein and mRNA in cerebral cortex was down-regulated immediately after anesthesia and at 1 and 7 days after anesthesia in group S (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism underlying sevoflurane-induced cognitive impairment may be related to the down-regulated expression of ADRA1B and ADRA1D in cerebral cortex of rats.

Objective To understand the cognition of patients with anxiety disorder and their inner experience and disease,and provide reference and basis for making more perfect health education. Methods A group of 38 patients with hospitalized anxiety were interviewed by collective focus interview. The interview was conducted by using the team skill training model to create a pleasant atmosphere. Results Five subjects of periods were identified, including the denial period of disease, the period of inner pain,the period of worrying about side effects of drugs,and the expectation period of disease cure. Conclusions The lack of awareness of disease and the desire for disease-related knowledge are very urgent. Through this study, we understand the psychological characteristics and needs of some patients with anxiety, and explore a set of patients who are suitable for anxiety of the mission model to provide some reference.

Objective To explore the feasibility and guiding value of point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) in evaluating gastric residual volume (GRV) in the course of implementing enteral nutrition (EN) in patients with neurological critical illness. Methods Ninety patients with critical neurological diseases necessary for EN were admitted to the Department of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Taizhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine from March 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018 were selected, and they were randomly divided into a GRV extraction group (control group) and a PoCUS GRV group (study group), 45 patients in each group. Both groups were fed with Ruidai nutrient solution by nasogastric pump at a rate of 18 hours per day to persistently administer the target feeding volume for consecutive 7 days. The differences in tolerance of EN, the incidence of feeding interruption, the daily volume of EN fluid, the ratio of reaching total enteral nutrition (TEN) and the levels of serum albumin (Alb), prealbumin (PA) and prognosis were compared between the two groups. Results The incidences of reflux and wrong aspiration in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group [8.9% (4/45) vs. 24.4% (11/45) and 4.4% (2/45) vs. 17.8% (8/45), both P < 0.05]. The EN liquid volume, ratio of reaching TEN, Alb and PA levels in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group [EN liquid volume (mL/d): 944.6±277.1 vs. 783.7±230.5, the ratio of TEN: 86.7% (39/45) vs. 68.9% (31/45), Alb (g/L): 30.6±3.0 vs. 29.4±2.4, PA (g/L): 280.5±31.8 vs. 267.7±28.4, all P < 0.05]. The incidence of diarrhea [15.6% (7/45) vs. 13.3% (6/45)], the incidence of feeding interruption [8.9% (4/45) vs. 13.3% (6/45)], the length of stay in ICU (days: 10.4±6.2 vs. 8.3 ±5.4), the mortality [8.9% (4/45) vs. 13.3% (6/45)] had no significant differences between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusion Evaluating GRV by PoCUS to adjust EN implementation plan can reduce the incidences of reflux and wrong aspiration and increase the EN intake.

Objective:To access the efficacy of monoenergetic imaging from spectral CT combined with metal artifact reduction for orthopedic implants (O-MAR) on reducing contrast hardening artifacts in the vein on the injection side, and determining the optimal monoenergetic spectral range to improve the display of axillary lymph node.Methods:A total of 35 patients with breast cancer who underwent chest-enhanced CT scans were enrolled in this retrospective study. The original data were reconstructed to obtain a total of 35 sets of images, including one conventional image, 17 groups of monoenergetic images, and 17 groups of monoenergetic+O-MAR images. The areas of interest were delineated in the high and low-density artifact area on the injection side of the same layer contrast agent, and the contralateral ectopectoralis. The CT value and its standard deviation (SD) were recorded respectively, the artifact area was measured, and the number of axillary lymph nodes was recorded. The difference in CT values (ΔCT 1, ΔCT 2) and the artifact index (AI1 and AI 2) of the high and low-density artifact areas relative to the contralateral ectopectoralis in the same layer were calculated respectively. Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to compare the differences of ΔCT, AI, artifact area, and number of lymph nodes among the three imaging modalities, and the Kappa test was used to compare the differences in subjective evaluation. Results:As the energy level increased, compared to the conventional image, monoenergetic image, ΔCT 1 absolute value, ΔCT 2 absolute value, AI 1, and AI 2 showed a trend of initially low and then high, artifact area decreased, and the number of detected lymph nodes increased ( P<0.01). Compared to other energy levels, when the monoenergetic image was 100 keV, ΔCT 1 value, 140 keV for ΔCT 2 value, 120 keV for AI 1 value, and 130 keV for AI 2 value were close to zero, and the number of detected lymph nodes was highest at 110-200 keV. In contrast, in the monoenergetic+O-MAR images, ΔCT 1 absolute value showed a trend of initially low and then high, but, ΔCT 2 absolute value, AI 1, AI 2, and artifact area all significantly decreased, whereas the number of detected lymph nodes significantly increased (χ 2 values were 916.23, 895.93, 387.08, 519.41, 890.10, and 1027.98, respectively. All P<0.01). Compared to other energy levels, when the monoenergetic+O-MAR image was at 100 keV, ΔCT 1 value was close to zero, while ΔCT 2 value became close to zero with increasing energy level, and the number of detected lymph nodes was highest at 110-200 keV. As the energy level increased, the ΔCT 1, AI 1, AI 2, and artifact area of monoenergetic+O-MAR images were significantly smaller than those of monoenergetic images at the same energy level, and the number of detected lymph nodes was significantly higher than that of monoenergetic images ( P<0.01). The subjective scores for 110-200 keV monoenergetic images and 100-200 keV monoenergetic+O-MAR images were both higher than 4, and the score for monoenergetic+O-MAR images was significantly higher than that of single-energy spectrum images. The agreement between the two radiologists in assessing subjective scores was good. Conclusion:At 100-120 keV level, spectral CT monoenergetic combined with O-MAR imaging technique has the best performance in removing hardening-induced artifacts of chest-enhanced CT contrast agent and detecting and displaying axillary lymph nodes.

Lung transplantation has become the most effective treatment of end-stage lung diseases. Along with persistent optimization of lung transplantation technique and perioperative management, the short-term clinical efficacy after lung transplantation has been significantly improved, whereas the long-term clinical prognosis remains unoptimistic. Besides chronic lung allograft dysfunction, postoperative malignant tumors also threaten the long-term survival of the recipients. Common malignant tumors following lung transplantation include nonmelanoma skin cancer, posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease and lung cancer. After solid organ transplantation, a large majority of the recipients require lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. The intensity of immunosuppressive therapy for the lung transplant recipients is generally higher than other organ transplant recipients. Immunosuppression is the main factor which leads to the impairment of anti-tumor immune monitoring function and promotes the incidence and development of malignant tumors. In this article, the risk factors, prevention and treatment of the most common malignant tumors after lung transplantation were reviewed, aiming to provide reference for comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors following lung transplantation.

Objective:To observe any effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (p-ERK1/2) and phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (p-CREB) in the spinal dorsal horns of diabetics experiencing neuropathic pain.Methods:Eight rats were randomly selected from 30 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats as the normal group (N), and the remaining twenty-two rats were treated with a single high-dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) to establish a neuropathic pain model. The rats modeled successfully were randomly divided into a model group (M, n=8) and an EA group ( n=8). In the EA group, electroacupuncture was applied at the bilateral Hou san li and Kunlun acupoints starting on the 15th day after the STZ injection. The daily sessions lasted 30 minutes for 1 week. Body weight (BW), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) were observed before the STZ injection and on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days afterward. The expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB in the dorsal horns of the rats′ spinal cords was detected using western blotting. The count of p-CREB-positive cells in the dorsal horns and their co-localization with neurons was detected using immunofluorescence. Results:In comparison with the N group, the average BW of the M group on the 7th, 14th and 21st days after the STZ injection was significantly lower, while the average FBG was significantly higher. There was no significant difference between the M and N groups in the average PWL on the 7th day after the STZ injection, but it had decreased significantly in the M group on the 14th and 21st days. Compared with the M group, the average PWL of the EA group was significantly longer on the 21st day after the injection. The expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB protein in the spines of the M group was significantly higher than in the N group. p-CREB positive cells were more numerous in the M group compared with the N group, while in the EA group they were fewer. P-CREB was co-located with neurons in the spinal dorsal horn.Conclusion:EA can alleviate neuropathic pain effectively, perhaps by inhibiting the expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-CREB in the dorsal horns of the spinal cord.

Objective:To investigate the optimal time of tracheotomy/arytenoidectomy and the improvement of dyspnoea, dysphonia and dysphagia after arytenoidectomy with CO₂ laser in iatrogenic bilateral vocal folds paralysis patients. Method:Thirty patients [29 females, 56 (49-60) years, one male, 49 years] with bilateral vocal cords paralysis resulted from neck surgery were retrospectively analyzed by case archived information and following-up questionnaire. The data included patients' dysponea time, degree and duration from tracheotomy/arytenoidectomy to neck surgery. Twenty sixty patients required unilateral partial/total arytenoidectomy. The results of treatment were evaluated by questionnaire including dyspnoea, dysphonia and dysphagia. Result:All patients whose bilateral vocal paralysis were resulted from thyroid gland surgery. Dysponea occurred immediately after thyroidectomy surgery in 14 cases (46.7%), and 2 years later after thyroidectomy in 13 cases (43.3%), 8 years later in 3 cases (10.0%). There was one (3.3%) patient without tracheotomy. The duration of tracheotomy/arytenoidectomy to neck surgery was significantly correlated with duration of tracheotomy/arytenoidectomy to dyspnoea appearance (r=0.879, P<0.05), not correlated with duration of thyroid surgery to dyspnoea appearance. There is significantly negative correlation between degree of dyspnoea and duration of tracheotomy/arytenoidectomy to neck surgery (r=0.452, P<0.05). Twenty six patients appeared dyspnoea and underwent CO₂ laser arytenoidectomy after thyoidectomy 0.5-23 years. Five patients did unilateral total arytenoidectomy and 21 patients did unilateral partial arytenoidectomy. After 12-96 months following up, dyspnoea improved in 24 patients, no improved in 2 patients. Dysphonia improved and remained in 17 patients, being worse mildly in 8 patients and obviously in one patient. Dysphagia improved and remained in 24 patients, being worse in 2 patients. There was no difference between total and partial arytenoidectomy in dyspnoea, dysphonia and dysphagia. Conclusion:The morbidity of dyspnoea was correlated with time after neck surgery. It was rarely necessary to take tracheotomy immediately in bilateral vocal fords paralysis patients after neck surgery. The severer degree of dyspnoea led to shorter duration between neck surgery and tracheotomy/arytenoidectomy. There was obvious improvement after arytenoidectomy in dyspnoea, no significant change in dysphonia and dysphagia. The effect of total arytenoidectomy on bilateral vocal paralysis was similar to partial arytenoidectomy.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Youguiwan on the leptin/Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） signaling pathway in the lung tissue of the rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） due to kidney-Yang deficiency. MethodForty rats were modeled for COPD with the syndrome of kidney-Yang deficiency by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide on day 1 and day 14 and continuous fumigation for 6 weeks， during which hydrocortisone was injected intramuscularly at an interval of 3 days. The modeled rats were randomized into model， high- （11.7 g·kg^-1）， medium- （5.85 g·kg^-1）， and low-dose （2.93 g·kg^-1） Youguiwan， and aminophylline （0.054 g·kg^-1） group. In addition， 8 SD rats were set as the blank group. After the completion of modeling， the rats in each group were administrated with the corresponding drug by gavage for 28 consecutive days. After the last administration， samples were collected. A lung function analyzer was used to evaluate the lung function of rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-17A （IL-17A）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF）. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the lung tissue， and Masson staining was employed to observe the deposition of blue collagen fibers around bronchi in the lung tissue and calculate the inflammation score. The immunofluorescence assay was employed to measure the protein content of collagen type Ⅰ （ColⅠ） and α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） in the bronchi. The protein and mRNA levels of leptin， IL-17A， JAK2， and STAT3 in the lung tissue were determined by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction， respectively. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed decreased lung function （P<0.01）， elevated levels of IL-6， IL-17A， and TNF-α in the BALF （P<0.01）， and increased lung inflammation score， deposition of subcutaneous collagen fibers in the airway， and ColⅠ and α-SMA proteins （P<0.01）. Furthermore， the modeling up-regulated the proteins and mRNA levels of leptin， IL-17A， JAK2， and STAT3 in the lung tissue （P<0.01） and enhanced the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， high- and medium-dose Youguiwan improved the lung function， decreased the inflammation score， reduced collagen fiber deposition and ColⅠ and α-SMA proteins， lowered the levels of IL-6， IL-17A， and TNF-α in the BALF， down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of leptin， JAK2， STAT3， and IL-17A， and weakened the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The aminophylline group had higher IL-17A and TNF-α levels than the high-dose Youguiwan group， lower IL-17A level than the medium and low-dose Youguiwan groups， and lower TNF-α level than the low-dose Youguiwan group. Compared with the aminophylline group， the high- and medium-dose Youguiwan groups showed reduced deposition of collagen fibers and protein levels of ColⅠ and α-SMA around the bronchi in the lung tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， decreased inflammation score， and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of leptin， JAK2， STAT3， and IL-17A in the lung tissue. ConclusionYouguiwan can prevent airway remodeling by inhibiting IL-17A to reduce inflammation and collagen deposition in COPD rats， which may be related to the inhibition of the leptin/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.