Objective:To investigate the effects of erbium:yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG)laser irradiation on pulp and formation of dentin bridge.The beagle dogs'coronal pulp is amputated by Er:YAG laser.Methods:In the study,24 premolar teeth of two one-year-old Beagle dogs were used.They were divided into 3 groups:bur group,200 mJ laser group,100 mJ laser group.The coronal pulp were removed by traditional bur or 200 mJ/20 Hz or 100 mJ/20 Hz Er:YAG laser.Then,they were dressed with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)and sealed with resin.Clinical,radiological and histological ana-lyses were performed 1 day,2 weeks,4 weeks and 8 weeks after treatment.The mobility and gingiva si-tuation were evaluated for clinical evaluation.Periapical films were used for radiological evaluation.The extracted teeth were preserved in 10% formalin.After decalcification,tissue processing,paraffin embed-ding,serial sectioning at 5 μm thickness,staining (Hematoxylin and Eosin,HE),the samples were as-sessed by an independent observer for calcified bridge formation and radicular pulp inflammation.The mean thickness of dental bridge was measured if there was complete dental bridge.Results:Clinical evaluation:there were no signs of fistula or mobility or any abnormal symptoms in Er:YAG laser groups and bur group during the observation period.Radiological evaluation:there were no signs of widened pe-riodontal ligament or root absorption or periapical radiolucency in Er:YAG laser groups and bur group. Histological evaluation:there was no severe inflammation reaction in 200 mJ/20 Hz,100 mJ/20 Hz Er:YAG laser groups and bur group 1 day,2 weeks,4 weeks,8 weeks post-operation in Hematoxylin and Eosin staining.A complete dentin bridge could be observed in 200 mJ/20 Hz,100 mJ/20 Hz Er:YAG laser groups,while no complete dentin bridge in bur group 2 weeks post-operation.Complete dental bridge could be observed in each group 4 and 8 weeks post-operation.The mean thickness of dental bridge 4 weeks post-operation in 200 mJ laser group was 77 μm,100 mJ laser group 87 μm,and bur group 101 μm,and 8 weeks post-operation in 200 mJ laser group was 222 μm,100 mJ laser group 160μm,and bur group 152 μm.Conclusion:The 200 mJ/20 Hz and 100 mJ/20 Hz Er:YAG laser pulpoto-mies show no harm to radicular pulp and can promote the formation of dentin bridge.

Objective To assess the usefulness of left ventricular contrast echocardiography in diagnosis of left ventricular myocardium noncompaction.Methods Contrast echocardiography was done in ten patients who were diagnosed or suspected with left ventricular noncompaction by common transthoracic echocardiography,for further study of the trabecular muscles extent,the continuity of the endocardium,the compact myocardium thickness,and the contrast agent in the trabecula recessus.Results By contrast echocardiography,noncompaction myocardium thickness can be perspicuously observed,the turgor of the contrast agent was vividly detected in the trabecular recessus.Especially for the measurement of compaction myocardium,the contrast echocardiography was more accurate than in the condition of the common echocardiography.Conclusions Left ventricular contrast echocardiography can be used in the diagnosis of left ventricular noncompaction,it was a good added method of conventional echocardiography.

Aim Toresearchthemolecularmecha-nisms of adriamycin-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis based on β-adrenoceptor signaling pathway during de-velopmentofheartfailure.Methods SeventymaleSD rats were assigned randomly into two groups:the con-trol group(CON,n=30)and the ADR-induced cardio-toxicity group (ADR,n =40 ).ADR was administered intraperitoneally in five equal injections (each contai-ning 3 mg·kg-1 )over a period of two weeks,with a total cumulative dose of 15 mg · kg-1 body weight. Age-matched rats injected with saline were used as controls.The general condition of all rats was observed, and transthoracic echocardiography was performed im-mediately following the final ADR injection,and then every other week.Serum and myocardial tissue were harvested at W2,W4 and W6 separately.The serum contents of brain natriuretic peptide(BNP)and cardiac troponin-T(cTn-T)were analyzed by euzymelinked im-munosorbent assay (ELISA ).The pathological change and apoptosis were determined by HE,Masson and ter-minal deoxyribonucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL).The protein expressions ofβ1-AR,β2-AR,PKA and CaMK Ⅱ were detectedbyWesternblot.Results FollowingthefinalADRin-jection,cardiac systolic function and SV declined, which was accompanied by marked atrophy of the heart,low levels of cardiomyocyte fibrosis and apopto-sis,significantly increased serum BNP and cTn-T and decreased β1-AR,PKA and CaMK Ⅱ protein expres-sion.However,cardiac systolic function was improved with the extension of time but remained depressed as compared to CON group.The serum BNP and cTn-T concentration kept on rising.The gradual aggravation apoptosis and concomitant fibrosis in the ADR group heart were observed following ADR withdrawal.β1-AR protein expression was continuously down-regulated,β2-AR protein expression unchanged.Expression of PKA and CaMKⅡ proteins in hearts from ADR-injec-ted rats gradually increased.Conclusion β-AR/PKA/CaMKⅡ signaling pathway mediates cardiomyo-cyte apoptosis during the progress of ADR-induced car-diac dysfunction and pathological remodeling and apop-tosis.

ObjectiveTo enhance understanding on echocardiographic and clinical characteristics of valve lesions of non-infective endocarditis (NIE), particularly in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Comparative analysis of the diagnostic value of echocardiography was performed in patients with non-infective endocarditis and atypical infective endocarditis (IE).MethodsData from 38 patients with clinically diagnosed NIE in the institution were collected retrospectively during July 2005 and January 2015, including 10 patients with SLE, 10 with rheumatic heart disease, 11 with rheumatoid arthritis, and 7 with hepatitis B. Data of 42 patients diagnosed as atypical IE during the same period were collected as control group. All patients underwent examinations of blood culture, sero-immunological tests, electrocardiogram and echocardiography. Comparison was made between the two groups using SPSS 11.5 software package. ResultsThe difference in blood culture, sero-immunological tests and electrocardiogram was statistically signiifcant between the groups (χ2 value, 26.29, 5.53, and 4.80, respectively, allP<0.05), although there was no statistical difference in results of echocardiography (χ2=0.03,P>0.05). Echocardiography identiifed valvular vegetations in 27 of 38 patients, with NIE with a detection rate of 71.0%; The size of the vegetations ranged from 2 to 7 mm in diameter; Valve vegetations was found in 36 of 42 patients with atypical IE, with a detection rate of 85.7%; the other six cases demonstrated valvular thickening only; in this group, the vegetations ranged from 2 mm to 19 mm in size and were located in the left heart in 28 patients, 8 cases in the right heart. In the case group, two cases of valve lesions in patients with SLE were confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), while missed on TEE examination. Nine cases with more than mild valve regurgitation were identiifed. Ten cases were treated with hormones and cyclophosphamide, after which valve lesions resolution was found on serial echocardiography tests with a follow-up period of 5 days to 3 years.Conclusions Echocardiography is capable of detecting valve lesions at early stage in patients with NIE, particularly in patients with SLE. Echocardiography plays a crucial role in identifying the non-infective thrombotic vegetations, guiding clinical treatment and monitoring the therapeutic effects.

Objective Previous studies regarding the effects of tamoxifen ( TAM) on the thin endometrium are rare .The aim of this study was to explore the effects of TAM on patients with thin endometrium undergoing frozen thawed embryo transfer ( FET ) . Methods One hundred and thirty three patients with thin endometri-um undergoing FET treatment were recruited from January 2014 to June 2016, who canceled embryo transfer ( ET) or after FET due to thin endometrium in natural cycle or hormone replacement therapy cycle .Patients were randomly divided into letrozole ( LE,n=72) group or tamoxifen (TAM,n=61) group.All of the patients started to have oral pills of Estradiol Valerate 4 mg/d on the third day of menstruating cycles , then 6mg/d on the eighth day ,after 10~12 days then having ultrasonic monitoring of endometrial thickness and blood estradiol (E2), progesterone levels, It′s called endometrial preparation for hormone replacement cycle .To letrozole, tamoxifen group,the way of endometrial preparation were as follows:patients started to have oral pills of LE 2.5mg/d,TAM 40 mg/d on the third day of menstruating cycles for 5 days, then having ultrasonic monitoring and used drug of human chorionic gonadotropic hormone ,It′s called HCG day .After the dominant follicle ovulation then took progesterone intramuscular injection 40 mg/d, oral progesterone 20 mg/d to change endometrium ,then to transplant cleavage embryos or blastocysts after taking 3 or 5 days of progesterone , It′s called embryo transplanting day .The way of TAM endometrium preparation was called TAM cycle .The general data , hormone levels and clinical out-come between two groups were analyzed . Results The serum estradiol level of LE group both on HCG and transfer day [(1193.80± 629.64)ng/L vs (2776.30±157.34)ng/L;(1195.90±820.30)ng/L vs (2129.40±1208.71) ng/L,P=0.000] were statistically lower, serum luteinizing hormone level were statistically higher than TAM group [(20.48±15.50)IU/L vs (10.59±8.34)IU/L,P<0.05];im-plantation rate of LE group were statistically lower than TAM (39.32%vs 45.83%,P=0.001).The endometrial thickness and serum E 2 and P levels in TAM cycles were significantly higher compared with those in hormone replacement therapy cycle [(8.49±1.36)mm vs (6.43±0.96)mm,P=0.018]. Conclusion Tam compared LE with patients of thin endometrium undergoing FET can increased en -dometrial thickness and improve implantation rate ,thus Providing a new solution to thin endometrium .

Objective · To improve the surgical procedure of correcting upper eyelid retraction.Methods · Patients suffering upper eyelid retraction of 2-5 mm caused by thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy were treated with modified levator lengthening technique in Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital (Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,China) from July 2013 to December 2014.Results· Of the 34 patients underwent the modified levator lengthening surgery for upper eyelid retraction correction,there were 7 males and 27 females.After 6 months,upper eyelid retraction got fully resolved in 25 cases and partly improved in 9 cases.The palpebral fissure height demonstrated an average decrease of 3.7 mm (P=0.000).Patient's ocular discomfort such as photophobia and tearing were either cured or improved.Conclusion · Modified levator lengthening surgery can effectively correct upper eyelid retraction,improve the patient's appearance and cure their ocular discomfort.

Objective To investigate the influencing factors for left atrial appendage (LAA) spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) or thrombosis in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation(NVAF) and normal left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF).Methods This study prospectively enrolled 255 patients with NVAF [paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(PaAF) 196 cases and persistent atrial fibrillation(PeAF) 59 cases].Patients were divided into two groups according to the findings on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE):positive group with the presence of the LAA SEC or thrombosis (group Ⅰ) and negative group (group Ⅱ) without this two presences.The clinical and echocardiographic data were compared between the two groups.The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to explore the independent risk factors for development of LAA SEC or thrombosis.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to determine the predictive value of the factors.Results A total of 255 patients were enrolled.There were 26 cases(10.2％) in group Ⅰ,and 229 cases (89.8％) in group Ⅱ.The age,NT-proBNP,occurrence rate of PeAF,left atrial volume index(LAVI),and LAA orifice long diameter and depth were higher in group Ⅰ than those in group Ⅱ (all P ＜0.01).The left atrial appendage emptying velocity(LAAV),global left atrial longitudinal strain(GLALS) and LVEF were lower in group Ⅰ compared with those in group Ⅱ (all P ＜ 0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis and ROC curve showed that GLALS＜12.2％ and LAAV＜ 31.2 cm/s were independent risk factors of LAA SEC or thrombosis in patients with NVAF and perserved LVEF.Conclusions The impairment of left atrial and LAA function are potential risk factors for cardiogenic embolism.GLALS and LAAV can be used as useful referenced parameters for prediction of stroke in patients with NVAF.

Objective To evaluate the ability of high resolution pleuropulmonary ultrasonography and bedside chest X-ray in identifying different pathologic abnormalities in patients with dyspnea,using thoracic computed tomography (CT) as a gold standard.Methods Bedside pleuropulmonary ultrasonography was performed in 350 dyspneic patients in the emergency department and ICU,111 patients were enrolled in the study with pleuropulmonary ultrasonography,chest X-ray and chest CT examination performed within 24 hours.Pathologic entities were evaluated:pleural effusion,consolidation,atelectasis,pneumothorax,pulmonary interstitial fibrosis,and pulmonary edema.The sensitivity,specificity,negative and positive prediction value of pleuropulmonary ultrasonography and chest X-ray were compared with the corresponding CT scan results.Results Pleuropulmonary ultrasonography was highly concordant with chest X-ray.Overall ultrasonography exhibited higher sensitivity than chest X-ray and CT for pleural effusion.For atelectasis and pulmonary edema,the sensitivity of ultrasonography was up to 100%.In the diagnosis of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis,the sensitivity of pleuropulmonary ultrasonography was higher than that of chest X-ray,but the specificity was slightly lower.The sensitivity of pleuropulmonary ultrasonography was slightly higher than that of chest X-ray in pneumothorax,and the specificity was coincident with chest X-ray.Although the sensitivity of ultrasonography was slightly lower for consolidation,it was still higher than chest X-ray.The ability of chest X-ray for differentiating pleural effusion from atelectasis or consolidation was worse than that of ultrasonography.Conclusions Our study demonstrates a high concordance between ultrasonography with radiography.The diagnostic performance of bedside pleuropulmonary ultrasonography is better than that of chest X-ray.

Objective To evaluate the right ventricular function of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) by Doppler echocardiography. Methods In 16 patients with CTEPH,end-diastolic left ventricular diameter(LVDd), end-diastolic right ventricular areas (RVEDA), end-systolic right ventricular areas (RVESA), right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC), pulmonary accelerative time (Pact), pressure gradient of tricuspid valve regurgitation (PGT1), area of tricuspid valve regurgitation (AT1) were measured by echocardiography. Results Fifteen and thirty days after surgery,the LVDd and Pact had increased,RVEDA, RVESA,PGT1 and AT1 had decreased while RVFAC had increased in all cases. Conclusions PTE may effectively improve the right ventricular function of patients with CTEPH.

OBJECTIVETo study the in vitro antibacterial activity of meropenem combined with doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, sulbactam or cefoperazone/sulbactam against clinically isolated extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (XDRAB).

METHODSUsing a checker board synergy design, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antibiotics against 50 isolates of XDRAB was determined by broth microdilution antifungal susceptibility test. The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index was calculated to determine the combined effect of the antibiotics.

RESULTSMeropenem showed significantly reduced MIC50 and enhanced antimicrobial activities when combined with doxycycline, sulbactam or cefoperazone/sulbactam. The FIC results suggested that the main actions of doxycycline, sulbactam, and cefoperazone/sulbactam were synergistic (38%, 26%, and 10%, respectively) and addictive (62%, 74%, and 90%, respectively) without indifferent or antagonistic effects. The main actions of meropenem combined with ciprofloxacin were additive (56%) and indifference (44%) with synergistic and antagonistic effects.

CONCLUSIONMeropenem combined with doxycycline, sulbactam or cefoperazone/sulbactam shows excellent activity against clinical isolates of XDRAB.