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.

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 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.

Objective: To investigate the willingness to accept preventive treatments and its related factors among college freshmen with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), so as to provide the evidence for preventive treatment intervention measures for students with LTBI. Methods: Cluster sampling method was used to select 368 LTBI freshmen from 8 colleges and universities in Changzhou in September 2023, who conducted a questionnaire survey on the willingness to receive preventive treatment. General demographic data were collected and relevant data were collected using tuberculosis knowledge scale, General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection and Resolve (APGAR), and a self developed Stigma Scale. A binary Logistic regression model was constructed with the willingness to accept preventive treatment as the dependent variable to analyze the willingness to accept preventive treatment and the influencing factors. Results: A total of 253 LTBI college freshmen were willing to take preventive treatment, the acceptance rate was 68.75%. The rate of willingness to accept preventive treatment for LTBI was higher among students whose fathers had an education level of high school, compared to those whose fathers had an education level of junior high school or below ( OR =2.16, P <0.05). LTBI students whose per capita family income was >5 000-10 000 yuan and >10 000 yuan were more willing to accept LTBI preventive treatment than those whose per capita family income was <3 000 yuan ( OR =2.72, 4.46, P <0.05). LTBI students who engaged in physical exercise for more than 2 hours per week were more willing to accept than those who exercised less than 0.5 hours per week ( OR =1.91, P <0.05). LTBI students with high levels of tuberculosis knowledge and stigma were more likely to receive preventive treatment ( OR =1.18, 1.11, P < 0.05). LTBI students with high PHQ-9 ( OR =0.85) and GAD-7 ( OR =0.92) scores were more likely to refuse preventive treatment ( P <0.05). Conclusion The present study revealed a moderate level of willingness of LTBI students to preventive treatment in Changzhou City, and the acceptance is affected by family factors, healthy lifestyles, tuberculosis knowledge and psychological status.

Objective:To explore the carrier status of carbapenems-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) plasmids in burn patients and analyze the correlation of these plasmids with the transmission of CRKP. Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted. A total of 26 CRKP strains, which were isolated from the clinic-related samples of 22 burn patients (with 20 males and 2 females, aged (42±16) years) admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University (the Third Military Medical University) from January to December 2017, were collected and individually numbered. The plasmids of the strains were extracted by alkali lysis. After determination of the plasmid concentration by a nucleic acid concentration detector, the agarose gel electrophoresis was used to visualize the bands, and rough plasmids typing was performed. The plasmid of the smallest numbered CRKP in each plasmid type was transformed into competent Escherichia coli ( E. coli) strain Top10 (hereinafter referred to as TOP10 strain). The growth of each transformed strains and a Top10 strain cultivated in ampicillin containing Luria-Bertani (LB) agar medium overnight was observed, and the proportion of successful transformation was calculated. The plasmids from the smallest numbered plasmid carrying CRKP strain of successfully transformed Top10 strains (hereinafter referred to as the smallest successfully transformed strain) and correspondingly numbered CRKP were extracted, and then, the agarose gel electrophoresis was used to visualize the bands. Aforementioned successfully transformed strains and a TOP10 strain were used for the antimicrobial susceptibility testing with 17 antibiotics commonly used in clinic. The plasmid from the smallest successfully transformed strain was sequenced using the next-generation sequencing technology. Bioinformatics analyses such as protein-coding gene prediction and protein sequence alignment were performed successively. The sequence was subsequently named pKP03-NDM1 according to the carrying of drug resistance gene. According to the whole genome sequence of the plasmid carried by the smallest successfully transformed strain, the polymerase chain reaction, agarose gel electrophoresis, and gene sequencing were used to detect the New Delhi metallo-beta lactamase-1 ( blaNDM-1) of plasmids in the remaining 25 strains of CRKP. The ST typing in multilocus sequence typing of 26 strains of CRKP was analyzed based on the literature. Results:Plasmids were successfully extracted from 26 CRKP, with mass concentrations ranging from 19.3 to 189.8 ng/μL. Each of the 26 CRKP carrying plasmids showed at least one band longer than 2 500 bp in the agarose gel electrophoresis, which were roughly divided into 6 patterns of A, B, C, D, E, and F. After overnight cultivation, no growth of strains was observed in LB agar medium containing ampicillin inoculated with the TOP10 strain or TOP10 strains transformed by the plasmid of CRKP patterning A, B, D, or E. In contrast, TOP10 strains transformed by the pattern C plasmid from NO.3 CRKP and the pattern F plasmid from NO.15 CRKP resulted in numerous colony growths, and those transformed strains were named as TOP10-pKP03 and TOP10-pKP15, respectively. The proportion of successful transformation was 1/3. The plasmid carried by TOP10-pKP03 showed a single band in the agarose gel electrophoresis, which was the same size as the largest band of the plasmid from NO.3 CRKP. The TOP10 strain was sensitive to the 17 antibiotics commonly used in clinic. TOP10-pKP03 and TOP10-pKP15 were resistant to penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems but remained sensitive to monocyclic β-lactam, aminoglycosides, quinolones and tigecycline. The full length of the plasmid carried by TOP10-pKP03 was 41 190 bp. In addition to blaNDM-1, this plasmid carried bleMBL, T4SS, bleomycin resistance gene, conjugation transfer elements, and relaxase, etc. The plasmid showed 99% nucleotide identity similarity and the same length to the plasmid pJN24NDM1 extracted from an E. coli isolate JN24. Totally 16 (61.5%) CRKP were confirmed to carrying blaNDM-1 gene, among the ST typing of the 16 strains, 11 strains were ST11, while ST215, ST260, ST395, ST2230, and new ST had 1 strain each. Among the ST typing of 10 blaNDM-1-negative CRKP, 8 strains were ST11, while ST395 and ST2230 had 1 strain each. Conclusions:A blaNDM-1 gene carrying plasmid pKP03-NDM1 was extracted and sequenced from CRKP isolated from burn patients, with a high plasmid carrying rate. Meanwhile, this plasmid may mediate inter-CRKP and CRKP- E. coli horizontal transfer of blaNDM-1, leading to transmission of antimicrobial resistance.

Objective:To explore the construction and application of the standard process of thirst management for patients undergoing endonasal transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas.Methods:From June 2020 to October 2021, 160 patients with endonasal transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas who were admitted to the Neurosurgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (Anhui Provincial Hospital) were selected by convenience sampling. The patients were randomly divided into test group and control group, 80 cases in each group. The control group implemented routine nursing to prevent postoperative thirst, while the test group established a standard process of thirst management and implemented thirst prevention and interventions according to the process. The thirst intensity, thirst pain and resting salivary flow rate between the two groups was compared.Results:The thirst intensity scores of patients in the test group at 2, 6 and 24 hours after operation were lower than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences ( Z=-8.696, -10.008, -4.305; P<0.01) . The score of thirst pain in the test group was lower than that in the control group, and the resting salivary flow rate at 6 and 24 hours after operation were higher than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences ( Z=-9.488, -4.124, -2.631; P<0.01) . Conclusions:The standard process of thirst management can reduce the postoperative thirst intensity of patients with pituitary adenomas surgery and improve their thirst feeling, which is worthy of clinical promotion.