Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease which manifests with heart enlargement, myocardial contractile dys-function and arrhythmia. The disease cause is unknown. And the disease prognosis is not good with high fatality rate. There is no specific treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy in modern medicine. Currently, a large amount of clinical researches have been conducted by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) scholars with relatively satisfied therapeutic effects. This article made a review on the etiology, pathogenesis, treatment method (including syndrome differentiation and treatment, modern application of ancient prescription, self-made prescription, and Chinese patent medicine liq-uid) and TCM treatment progress of dilated cardiomyopathy in order to show that TCM has certain advantages in the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy.

The tolerance of tumor cells to treatment factors is the main reason to limit the therapeutic effect.The high expression of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) is an important factor in the development of therapeutic resistance in tumor cells.As an effective pro-apoptotic protein,the second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (Smac) can significantly enhance the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemoradiotherapy and promote the apoptosis of tumor cells.However,exogenous Smac protein and its active groups can not enter the tumor cells and play their functions.Therefore,the researches on Smac mimics and their functional mechanism have become the focus of attention of researchers.In this paper,the research progress of Smac mimics and their anti-tumor mechanisms were reviewed.

Objective To investigate the correlations of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) level and the C677T methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism with vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods A case control study in 64 AD patients (AD group),72 VaD patients (VaD group) and 56 healthy controls (control group) was under taken.Plasma tHcy level was determined by enzymatic cycling assay.The MTHFR677C/T polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).Results tHcy levels were significantly higher in AD and VaD groups than in control subjects(P＜ 0.05).VaD patients also showed increased levels of tHcy as compared to AD patieuts,but no statistic significance was found(P＞0.05).Logistic regression analysis indicated that tHcy level was a risk factor for dementia (including AD and VaD together)[(OR=1.15),VaD (OR=1.23),AD (OR=1.328)].MTHFR677 TT genotype represented higher plasma tHcy concentrations than CC and CT genotypes(both P＜0.05).The distribution frequency of the T allele of MTHFRC677T was 45.3 ％ (58/128)in AD group,49.0％(51/104)in VaD group and 33.0％(37/112)in control group,and it had significant differences between the three groups (P＜0.05).There was a significant difference in distribution frequency of the T allele of MTHFRC677T between VaD and control group (P＜0.01).The distribution frequency of MTHFR677 genotype (CC/CT/TT) had a significantly difference between the VaD group and the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusions High plasma level of tHcy is closely correlated with AD and VaD.tHcy level is the risk factor for dementia (including AD and VaD together).The polymorphism of MTHFR677C/T affects the plasma tHcy level.The T allele of MTHFRC677T may correlate with VaD,while has no direct correlation with AD.

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to investigate the color stability of ceromer with different thicknesses and different types of resin adhesive materials after accelerated aging and provide references for clinical application and selections.

METHODSNine groups of experimental samples were used, and each group contained five samples. We made joint samples with ceromer having three different thicknesses (1.00, 0.75, 0.50 mm) combined with three different resin adhesive materials (RelyX Veneer, RelyX Unicem, Filtek Z350 Flow), respectively. All samples were placed into Xenon Lamp Aging Instrument to implement accelerated aging. Spectrophotometer was used to measure the lightness (L*), red green color value (a*), and blue yellow color value (b*) of all samples before and after accelerated aging. The change of lightness (ΔL), red green color value (Δa), blue yellow color value (Δb), and color variation (ΔE) were also calculated. We investigated the influence of ceromer veneer thicknesses and resin adhesive material types on color variation by two-factor analysis of variance.

RESULTSThe thickness and type factors showed significant influence on ΔE values, and exhibited interactions (P < 0.05). The ΔE values of all experimental groups were lower than 3.3. After the accelerated aging process, all L*, a*, and b* values of the experimental groups decreased and the ΔL values were lower than 2.0.

CONCLUSIONCeromer veneer thickness and resin adhesive material types could affect the color stability of ceromer veneer and resin adhesive materials. The changes in lightness and color in ceromer veneer and resin adhesive materials are considered clinically acceptable after accelerated aging.

Ceramics ; Color ; Composite Resins ; Dental Cements ; chemistry ; Light ; Resin Cements

Objective To evaluate the effectson experimental posterior vitreous detachment(PVD) induced by intravitrous injection of hyaluronidase and perfIuoroethane(C3F8),and whether it is safe or not.Methods Twelve rabbits(24 eyes) were divided into 3 experimental groups,the contralateral eyes in same animals served as the controls.The eyes in group A(4 eyes) and B(4 eyes) were injected with 10IU of hyaluronldase(0.2ml) and 0.2ml perfluoropropane(C3F8) respectively.The eyes in group C(4 eyes) were received vitreous injections of 10IU(0.1ml) of hyaluronldase and 0.1ml perfluoropropane(C3F8) together.All control eyes were injected with balanced salt solution(0.2ml).The ocular and fundus signs were examined for 2 following weeks and then killed for histological examination.Results Four eyes in group C showed complete separation of the vitreous cortex from the retina(PVD) by B-scan and scanning electron microscopy,and no PVD was detected in group A、B and all control eyes.No evidence of retinal toxicity was revealed by light or transmisson electron microscopy in all eyes.Conclusion Vitreous injection of hyaluronidase combined with perfluoropropane(C3F8),as a safety method,can induce posterior vitreous detachment after 2 weeks.

Objective To discuss medicine using regularity of Yan Shiyun’s treatment for arrhythmia. Methods Medical cases of arrhythmia treated by Yan Shiyun were collected. The method of frequency of SPSS19.0 was used to analyze the frequency of single herb and common prescriptions. Results Totally 112 medical cases were collected. Three different kinds of arrhythmia in totally 315 prescriptions were collected and 18 same herbs were used in the 20 highest frequently used herbs. The first two were Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Persicae Semen. Buyang Huanwu Decoction is the most commonly used prescription, followed by Zhenwu Decoction. Conclusion Most Chinese herbal medicine included in Yan Shiyun’s prescriptions can tonify qi and invigorate the circulation of blood. The medicine use is concentrated, and composition law is clear.

Objective To investigate the application effect of nasal gastrointestinal double lumen catheter tube placement with air insufflation in mechanically ventilated patients with intra-abdominal hypertension.Methods A total of 20 patients with intra-abdominal hypertension were randomly divided into control group and observation group (n=10 in each group).Patients in control group received indwelling nasogastric tube for decompression and indwelling nasal intestine tube by air insufflation for enteral nutrition support .Patients in observation group received the dual lumen gastrointestinal tube for decompression and enteral nutrition support.The time required for catheterization,changes in intra-abdominal pressure before and after air insufflation,catheter success rate at one attempt,pain scores of patients to catheter operation, duration of decompression,enteral nutrition start time and the duration of mechanical ventilation were compared between two groups.Results The time required for catheterization,catheter air insufflation volume in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group (P <0.01);pain scores of patients to catheter operation were significantly lower in observation group than those in control group (P <0.01);There was no significantly difference in once catheter success rate,changes in intra-abdominal pressure before and after catheterization,abdominal high pressure relief time ,enteral feeding start time, and duration of mechanical ventilation between the two groups (P >0.05 ).Conclusions The technique of air insufflation has higher success rate for Indwelling nasal intestine tube in mechanically ventilated patients with intra-abdominal hypertension,and this method is safe and reliable,dual lumen gastrointestinal tube can improve patients'comfort,shorter catheterization time and reduce catheter air insufflation volume.

OBJECTIVEThe effect of sandblasting on the bond strength between 3mol% yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconium polycrystal (3Y-TZP) zirconia framework and veneering porcelain was evaluated.

METHODSA total of 21 specimens [(25 ± 1) mm x (3 ± 0.1) mmx (0.5 ± 0.05) mm] were prepared according to ISO 9693. The specimens were then randomly divided into 3 groups. Sandblasting was performed on 2 meshes of Al₂O₃ particles: group A with mesh 110 and group B with mesh 80. Group C, which was not sandblasted, was the control group. The surface roughness of the zirconia framework, as well as the bond strength between 3Y-TZP zirconia framework and veneering porcelain, was measured. The interface microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and elemental distribution was detected by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).

RESULTSSurface roughness values were (1.272 ± 0.149) μm for group A, (0.622 ± 0.113) μm for group B, and (0.221 ± 0.065) μm for group C. Statistical significance were found among groups (P < 0.05). The bond strength values were (28.21 ± 1.52) MPa for group A, (27.71 ± 1.27) MPa for group B, and (24.87 ± 3.84) MPa for group C. Statistical significance was found between group A and group C (P < 0.05), whereas the other groups had no statistical significance (P > 0.05). Interface adhesion failure was the primary performance. SEM images showed the close interface bonding, and EDS showed that the interface had no obvious element penetration.

CONCLUSIONAl₂O₃ sandblasting can slightly enhance the bond strength between zirconia framework and veneering porcelain.

Aluminum Oxide ; chemistry ; Dental Bonding ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Dental Veneers ; Materials Testing ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Shear Strength ; Surface Properties ; Yttrium ; chemistry ; Zirconium ; chemistry

Objective To investgate the value of various parameters obtained from monoexponential, biexponential, and stretched exponential diffusion?weighted imaging models in the differential diagnosis of breast lesions. Methods A retrospective study performed in 54 patients with pathologically confirmed malignant tumors(n=30), benign lesions(n=34) and normal fibroglandular tissues (n=30). All patients underwent T1WI, T2WI, dynamic enhancement and diffusion weighted MRI with multi?b values at a 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging unit. All parameters were measured at a workstation. ADC was calculated by using monoexponential analysis(b=0, 800 s/mm2). Slow apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC?slow), fast apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC?fast), and perfusion fraction (f) were calculated using the biexponential model. Distributed diffusion coefficient (DDC) and water molecular diffusion heterogeneity index (α) were obtained from diffusion?weighted images using the stretched exponential model. All parameters were statistically compared among normal fibroglandular tissues, benign lesions and malignant tumors using Kruskal?Wallis rank sum test. Mann?Whitney U test were used for further comparisons between specific group pairs. ADC values were compared with ADC?slow and DDC for different groups by paired Wilcoxon test. Correlations between ADC?value, ADC?slow and DDC were assessed by using Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze and compare the ability of these parameters in differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions. Results The ADC, ADC?slow, f, DDC and α values were significantly different among the normal fibroglandular tissues, benign tumors and malignant tumors (P<0.05). Further differential comparisons of the four parameters between each pair showed that the ADC, ADC?slow, f, DDC and α values were significantly lower in malignant tumors than both in normal fibroglandular tissues and benign tumors(P<0.016 7). The ADC values of normal fibroglandular tissues, benign tumors and malignant tumors were significantly higher than ADC?slow and DDC (P<0.05). The f and DDC had higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.688 and 0.657 respectively). The optimal cutoff values for ADC, ADC?slow, f, DDC and α were 1.235 × 10-3mm2/s, 0.428 × 10-3mm2/s, 57.8%, 1.175 × 10-3mm2/s and 0.721, respectively. Theαvalue showed higher specificity (65.5%) and the f value had higher sensitivity (82.9%). Conclusion The parameters derived from biexponential and stretched exponential DWI could be helpful for differentiation between benign and malignant breast tumors.