Objective To research the relationship between quality of life among the elderly with chronic periodontitis (CP) and the severity of CP.Methods A total of 471 elderly patients seeking treatment in the affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Kunming Medical University from September 2013 to January 2014 and their companions were investigated using the questionnaire according to the Chinese version of the Oral health Impact Profile-14.Those who diagnosed with CP were separated into two groups according to Community periodontal index (CPI) through periodontal examination.Group A was diagnosed with the early CP,and Group B was diagnosed with the late CP.Database was established by Epidata and statistical analysis was performed by SPSS.Results A total of 237 elderly patients with early CP and 139 with late CP were recorded.The mean OHIP-14 scores of the former were 14.36 ± 6.67,and the score of the later were 15.65 ± 7.12 relatively.The two groups who lived through negative effects were compared.The results suggested in the 14 items of OHIP-14.The statistical significance existed in the following 4 items,obvious pain appeared,uncomfortable when eating anything,unsatisfied with own diet,become easy to lose one's temper to others (P＜0.05).Conclusion OHR-QOL of elderly patients with the late CP is lower than that of those with the early CP.

AIM:To explore the effect of Delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4)-Notch signaling pathway blockade on the development of Thelper 17(Th17) cells in the asthmatic mice.METHODS:Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups:control group, asthma group, normal saline group, anti-Dll4 antibody group, and immunoglobulin G group.The protein expression of Dll4 was detected by immunohistochemical staining.The proportion of Th17 cells in mouse spleen isolated CD4+ T cells was measured by flow cytometry.The protein expression of Th17 transcription factor retinoid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) was determined by Western blot.The serum level of interleukin (IL)-17 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).RESULTS:The expression of Dll4 in the lung tissues from asthma group significantly increased as compared with anti-Dll4 antibody group.The proportion of Th17 cells in CD4+ T cells was significantly down-regulated, and the protein expression of RORγt in the lung tissues was significantly reduced in anti-Dll4 antibody group compared with asthma group (P<0.05).Moreover, the serum level of IL-17 in anti-Dll4 antibody group was significantly reduced compared with asthma group (P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The blockade of Dll4-Notch signaling pathway inhibits the differentiation of Th17 cells in asthmatic mice.

Objective To summarize the effect of en bloc kidney transplantation (EBKT) from cardiac deceased infant donors into adult recipients and to share a new simplified EBKT technique.Methods Fourteen dual kidneys from infant donors (9 males,and 5 females) were transplanted into adult recipients (3 males,and 11 females).The donor ages ranged from 17 days to 8 months,and the recipient ages ranged from 19 years to 61 years.The recipients were categorized into 2 groups in terms of the microvascular surgical techniques.Case 1 to case 9 was given traditional techniques and case 10 to case 14 simplified techniques.In detail,the dual kidneys were recovered en bloc with the aorta and inferior vena cava.After splitting the rear wall of the donor aorta and inferior vena cava,suitable size of patches were made by cutting along the vascular openings of renal arteries and renal veins.We anastomosed the aorta patch to the external iliac artery in an end-to-side fashion.The donor inferior vena cava patch was anastomosed to the external iliac vein in an end-to-side fashion.The distal ends of ureters were implanted into the bladder separately.Results In traditional group,two cases underwent peri-operative graft loss because of renal artery thrombosis,and one patient died of pneumonia 16 days post-operation.During the follow-up period,graft loss was seen in 2 patients caused by irreversible drug-induced nephrotoxicity and donor-derived malignant tumor respectively.The mean serum creatinine level was 81.7 ± 27.4 μmol/L and eGFR level was 82.5 ± 22.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 in the other EBKT recipients at 24th week post-operation.In simplified group,no vascular complications post-operation occurred.Conclusion En bloc infant kidneys could be transplanted into adult recipients successfully with excellent graft function and survival outcome while censored perioperative patient death and surgical failure.Instead of traditional EBKT technique,simplified EBKT technique could decrease the incidence of surgical vascular complications and should be applied to more recipients.

objecfive To analyze ventricular myocardial function in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).Methods Thirtv female SSc patients and fifteen age-and sex-comparable healthy subjects underwent standard echo and tissue Doppler imaging(TDI)examination.T-test and Pearson's analysis were used.Results Both left and right atrial and ventricular diameters,left ventricular eiection fraction and right ventricular fraction of area change were comparable between the two groups.Mitral and tricuspid inflow E/A ratio was almost the same in both groups,while systolic pulmoHary pressure was increased in SSc [(38±16)vs (23.9±4.8)mm Hg,P=0.008].TDI detected impaired right ventricular myocardial function in SSc:eartydiastolic peak velocity Em [(10.7±4.8)vs(15.0±2.1)cm/s,P=0.01],peak systolic strain[(-16.3±3.9)%vs (-20.9±2.0)%,P=0.001]and strain rate[(-1.4±0.4) vs(-2.4±0.5)/s,P<0.01] were reduced significantly.Left ventricular myocardial function was not impaired in SSc patients.Conclusion TDI iS a valuable noninvasive tool for early detecting of ventricular myocardial involvement caused by SSc.

Objective To investigate the effects of acetylated HMGB1 on cognitive function in rats with sepsis associated encephalopathy (SAE) and the effect of HMGB1 inhibitor.Methods Forty-eight males mice were randomly assigned to three groups (n=16): sham group (group S),cecal ligation puncture group (group C),cecal ligation puncture+sodium butyrate group (group B).Cecal ligation puncture was applied to establish the SAE model,and group S received sham operation.Rats in groups S and C were injected with normal saline 5 ml/kg 30 min and 4 h after CLP,respectively.The rats in group B were intraperitoneally injected with sodium butyrate 500 mg/kg 0.5 h and 4 h after CLP,respectively.All animals were performed Morris water maze test on 4th day after operation,and the exploring time of space exploration experiments were assessed on 7th day after CLP surgery.IL-6,BDNF,HMGB1 and acetylated HMGB1 expression in hippocampus of all rats were determined by Western Blot.Results Compared with group S,the latency of rats in group C was longer and the exploring time was shorter (P<0.05).Compared with group C,the latency of rats in group B was shorter and the exploring time was longer (P<0.05).Compared with group S,the expression of IL-6,HMGB1 and acetylated HMGB1 in group C increased (P<0.05) and the level of BDNF decreased (P<0.05).Compared with group C,the expression of IL-6,HMGB1 and acetylated HMGB1 in group B decreased (P<0.05) and the level of BDNF increased (P<0.05).Conclusion HMGB1 inhibitor sodium butyrate can inhibit the expression of acetylated HMGB1 in the hippocampus of SAE rats,and reduce the cognitive impairment induced by sepsis.

Objective To explore the potential role of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP) in the assessment of patients with connective tissuediseases(CTD) associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Methods Thirty patients with CTD associated PAH were evaluated by WHO function, echocardiography, right heart catheterization and blood biomarkers. All the clinical data was analyzed statistically. Results All patients [age (39.5 ± 11.6) yr]were female. Both NT-proBNP and BNP were significantly increased and significantly correlated ( all P ＜0. 05 ) respectively with mean pulmonary arterial pressure ( r = 0. 53 and r = 0. 40 ), right arterial pressure ( r = 0. 55 and r = 0. 42 ), pulmonary vascular resistance ( r = 0. 69 and r = 0. 61 ), cardiac index ( r = - 0. 58and r = - 0. 46), mixed venous blood oxygen saturation ( r = - 0. 62 and r = - 0. 54 ), pericardial effusion ( r = 0. 46 and r = 0. 43 ), right atrial sizes ( r = 0. 40 and 0. 53, and r = 0. 39 and 0. 45 ) and right ventricular size ( r = 0. 55 and r = 0. 37 ). Furthmore, NT-proBNP, but not BNP, significantly correlated with WHO function class ( r = 0. 55 ). Conclusion Blood NT-proBNP and BNP were elevated in patients with CTD associated PAH and paralleled the extent of function class, pulmonary hemodynamic changes and right ventricular remodeling.

Objective To investigate the role of hippocampal cyclophilin D (CypD) in sepsis-associated encephalopathy in rats.Methods A total of 36 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 3-4 months,weighing 300-400 g,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =12 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (Sham group),sepsis group (S group),and sepsis + CypD inhibitor cyclosporin A group (CsA group).Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).Cyclosporin A 6 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally at 30 min before CLP in group CsA.All the animals underwent Morris water maze test on 4th day after CLP.The animals were sacrificed after the test,and the hippocampus was isolated for determination of the expression of cytochrome c (Cyt c),CypD,caspase-3,brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF),phosphorylated protein kinase A (p-PKA),and phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (p-CREB).Results Compared with group Sham,the escape latency was significantly prolonged,the space exploration time was shortened,the expression of Cyt c,CypD,caspase-3,p-PKA and p-CREB was up-regulated,and the expression of BDNF was down-regulated in S and CsA groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group S,the escape latency was significantly shortened,the space exploration time was prolonged,the expression of Cyt c,CypD,caspase-3,p-PKA and p-CREB was down-regulated,and the expression of BDNF was up-regulated in group CsA (P＜0.05).Conclusion Hippocampal CypD may be involved in the pathophysiological mechanism of sepsis-associated encephalopathy,and the downstream mechanism is probably related to promotion of activation of PKA/CREB signaling pathway in rats.

Objective To explore the association between Doppler echocardiography parameters and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) obtained by right heart catheterization (RHC) in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH).Methods RHC and a simultaneous echocardiography were performed in 86 PH patients.The correlation between the echocardiographic parameters and PCWP was analyzed.Results The early diastolic velocity(E) of mitral valve blood flow was significantly correlated with PCWP ( γ =0.36,P ＜0.01 ).Tissue Doppler imaging measured the diastolic velocity of mitral annulus on the lateral(E'L)and the septal (E'S) wall.Then the average E'M was calculated.The ratio of E to E'L,E'S and E'M showed a strong correlation with PCWP ( γ =0.62,0.34 and 0.47 respectively,P ＜ 0.01 ).E/E'L ＜ 6 accurately predicted 100％ PCWP≤ 15 mm Hg (1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa),and E/E'L ＞ 15 could predict PCWP ＞ 15 nun Hg with specificity of 98.5％.Conclusion There are positive correlation between E/E' and PCWP obtained by RHC in PH patients.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided modified anterior approach to sciatic nerve block ( SNB) for orthopedic surgery with general anesthesia. Methods Ninety American So-ciety of Anesthesiology physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱpatients of both sexes, aged 18-64 yr, weighing 19-28 kg∕m2 , scheduled for elective knee joint or distal orthopedic surgery, were divided into 3 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: modified anterior approach ( the puncture needle was almost perpendicular to the ultrasound beam) group, anterior approach group and posterior approach group. SNB ( injecting 0. 5％ ropivacaine 20 ml) combined with femoral nerve block ( injecting 0. 5％ ropivacaine 15-20 ml) was performed under ultrasound guidance. Surgery was completed under combination of the laryngeal mask and combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia. When the respiratory rate ≥20 beats∕min and∕or the increase in heart rate was more than 20％ of the baseline value, sufentanil 1μg∕time was intravenously injected. When visual analog scale ( VAS) score ≥4 within 24 h after surgery, celecoxib capsules 0. 2 g was taken orally for analgesia. The depth of sciatic nerve, needling depth, sharpness score of needle ima-ging under ultrasound, and operation time and duration of SNB were recorded. VAS scores at rest and dur-ing activity were recorded at 6, 8, 10, 12 and 24 h after surgery. The amount of sufentanil consumed dur-ing surgery and use of celecoxib capsules within 24 h after surgery were recorded. The development of ad-verse reactions such as hematoma at the puncture site, nausea and vomiting was also recorded after surgery. Results Compared with posterior approach group, the depth of sciatic nerve and needling depth were sig-nificantly increased, the operation time of SNB was prolonged, the duration of SNB was shortened, the in-traoperative consumption of sufentanil was increased, VAS scores at rest and during activity were increased at 10 h after surgery, and the sharpness score of needle imaging was increased in modified anterior approach and anterior approach groups (P<0. 05). Compared with anterior approach group, the sharpness score of needle imaging was significantly increased, and VAS scores during activity were decreased at 24 h after sur-gery in modified anterior approach group ( P<0. 05) . There was no significant difference in the requirement for celecoxib capsules within 24 h after surgery or occurrence of adverse reactions among the three groups ( P>0. 05) . Conclusion Although ultrasound-guided modified anterior approach to SNB provides compara-ble efficacy with anterior approach to SNB and is not as good as posterior approach to SNB when used for or-thopedic surgery with general anesthesia, modified anterior approach to SNB is easy to operate, with clear images under ultrasound.

Objective To investigate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) combined with low-dose cyclosporin A ( CsA) on corneal transplantation rejection and its mechanism. Methods A fully allogeneic rat cornea transplant model (Wistar rats to Lewis rats) was created. Thirty-six model rats were divided into MSCs group, CsA group and MSCs+CsA group randomly by using the random number table method,with 12 rats for each group. In each group,six rats were used for the evalution of symptom observation and six for the assay of immune factor. Three days after corneal transplantation,slit lamp microscope was used to observe and record the vascularization,edema and opacity scores of corneal graft. After 18 days,spleen T helper cell(Th)1 and Th2 cytokines were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ). The use and care of the animals complied with Regulations for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission. This study protocol was approved by Ethic Committee of Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital (No. TMUaMEC2017028). Results The survival time of corneal grafts in MSCs+CsA group was prolonged in comparison with the MSCs group and CsA group,with significant differences between them([21.3±3.9]days vs. (14.8±2.4)days; [21.3±3.9]days vs. [16.0±1.1]days) (P=0.003,0.004). Eighteen days after corneal transplantation,corneal opacity scores were 3.17±0.17, 3.00±0.00 and 2.17±0.17,corneal neovascularization scores were 2.67 ± 0.21,2.33 ± 0.21 and 1.83 ± 0.21, respectively in the MSCs group, CsA group and MSCs+ CsA group, showing significant differences among the three groups (F=15.500,P<0.01; F=4.524,P=0.029). The corneal opacity scores and corneal neovascularization scores in the MSCs+ CsA group were significantly lower than those in the MSCs group and CsA group(all at P<0.05). Interleukin(IL)-2,IL-4,IL-10,and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) concentrations were all significantly different among the MSCs group,CsA group and MSCs+ CsA group (F=15.000,12.810,10.720,17.960,all at P< 0.01). Compared with the MSCs group and CsA group,Th1 subsets cytokines IFN-γ and IL-2 concentrations in the MSCs+CsA group were significantly lower,and Th2 subsets cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 concentrations were significantly increased in the MSCs+CsA group in comparison with the MSCs group and CsA group ( all at P<0.05 ). Conclusions The combination of MSCs with low-dose CsA can effectively ameliorate immunological rejection by the modulation of the balance of Th1/Th2.