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

?AlM: To compare clinical efficacy between Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation and trabeculectomy in patients with primary open angle glaucoma ( POAG) .
?METHODS: This retrospective study included 58 eyes from 45 patients with primary open angle glaucoma. And 32 eyes underwent penetrating trabeculectomy ( group A), while 26 eyes were performed Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation ( group B) . lntraocular pressure ( lOP) , best-corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) , visual field and post-operative complications were observed between these two groups.
?RESULTS:(1) lOP:the lOP of post-operation in group A were (13. 56±4. 91), (14. 47±4. 03), (17. 56±5. 74), (18. 25±5. 49), (18. 13±4. 24), (19. 68±4. 55) mm Hg at 2d, 1, and 2wk, 1, 3 and 6mo respectively; and that were (13.58±4. 16), (16. 00±4. 83), (18. 00±5. 05), (19. 42±5. 41), (18. 42±3. 37), (20. 00±5. 37) mm Hg in group B. There was no statistically significant difference in lOP between the two groups ( P> 0. 05 ). ( 2 ) BCVA: the number of visual acuity decreased eyes, with 6mo follow-up, was 7 (22%) in group A; and that was 5 in group B (19%). There was no statistically significant difference in vision loss postoperatively between the two groups (χ2=0. 061, P>0. 05). (3) Visual field: with 6mo follow-up, there were 13 eyes ( 41%) which had constricted visual field in group A, while those were 10 eyes (38%) in group B; the difference of visual field loss between the two groups was not statistically significant (χ2 = 0. 028, P>0. 05 ) . ( 4 ) Complications: six-month follow-up after operation, there were 4 eyes with shallow anterior chamber, 4 eyes with complicated cataract and 1 eyes with Descemet’s membrane detachment in group A, while that was 1 eyes with shallow anterior chamber and 1 eyes with complicated cataract in group B; there was statistically significant difference in the rate of complications between the two groups (χ2 = 4. 144, P<0. 05 ) . ( 5 ) Surgical success rate: six month after operation, the completed success rate was 37% (12 eyes) in group A, and that was 35% (9 eyes) in group B. The partial success rate was 19% (6 eyes) and 15% (4 eyes) in group A and group B respectively. The difference of success rates between the two groups was not statistically significant (χ2=0. 225, P>0. 05).
? CONCLUSlON: Both Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation and trabeculectomy are effective methods for the treatment of POAG. The clinical efficacy was no difference between the two methods. However, compared with trabeculectomy, Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation was safer and had fewer complications.

Objective To establish an HPLC method for the determination of related substances of rabeprazole sodium.Methods The determination was performed on a Xtimate C18 column.The mobile phase consisted of 2 g/L ammonium acetate-acetonitrile (95:5)and 2 g/L ammonium-methanol(15:85), with linear gradient elution and the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min.Detection wavelength was 290 nm.Results Related substances were completely separated from the main constituent.The limit of detection of rabeprazole was 0.25 ng and the limit of quantification was 0.75 ng,which were 0.01% and 0.03% of test sample and met the detection.With the selected solvents, principal component could be extracted efficiently and good stability.The sample solution was not stable at room temperature.Conclusion The method is simple, rapid and accurate, and can be used to control the quality of rabeprazole sodium enteric-coated pellets.

Objective To investigate the apoptosis of HepG2 cells and their sensitivities to the ciglitazone after inhibiting the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) by NF-kB decoy oligonucleotide. Methods After transfecting HepG2 cells with NF-kB decoy oligonucleotide, the activity of NF-kB was observed by electrophonetic mobility shift assay and the protein expression of Bcl-2 and Fas by Western blot. The transfected and untransfected HepG2 cells were processed with 100 umol/L of ciglitazone for 1 to 4 days, and the growth curve and cell cycle of HepG2 cells were observed. Results After transfecting NF-kB decoy oligonucleotide to HepG2 cells, the activity of the NF-kB was inhibited, the Bcl-2 protein expression decreased and the Fas protein expression increased. The inhibition effect of the ciglitazone on the growth of HepG2 ceils was strengthened and more HepG2 cells were arrested at G1/G0 phase. Conclusions NF-kB decoy oligonucleotide could accelerate the apoptosis of HepG2 cells and enhance the inhibition effect of ciglitazone on HepG2 proliferation, the mechanism of which might be attributable to the increased expression of Fas protein and the decreased expression of Bcl-2 protein after NF-kB decoy oligonucleotide inhibiting the activity of NF-kB.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility,safety and efficacy of surgical treatment of the thoracic and thoracolumbar disc herniations through the posterior far lateral approach,Methods From April 2005 to June 2010,24 consecutive patients with thoracic or thoracolumbar disc herniations were treated surgically,using the posterior far lateral approach.There were 15 males and 9 females with the mean age of 53.6 years old(range,25-69 years).The levels of herniated discs were located in T4-s,T5-6,T6-7 for 1 case,in T9-10 for 1 case,in T10-11 for 2 cases,in T10-11,T11-12,T12L1 for 1 case,in T11-12 for 3 eases,in T11-12,T12L1 for 3 cases,in T12L1 for 4 cases,in T12L1,L1-2 for 3 cases,and in L1-2 for 6 eases.There were one level disc herniation in 16 cases,two levels disc herniation in 6 cases and three levels disc herniation in 2 cases.16 out of 24 cases had "bony protrusions",including bony separation of the endplate,bony spur,disc calcification or OPLL.The average preoperative Cobb angle of localized kyphosis was 10.5°.According to the Frankel grading system,5 cases were classified as C,16 as D,and 3 as E,preoperatively.Results Average operation time was 3.5 h(2.0-4.5 h),and mean blood loss was 800 ml(300-4000 ml).Postoperative localized kyphosis was an average of 4.6°,with average correction rate of 56.2%.24 cases were followed up for 1 to 62 months,with an average of 18 months.According to Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)criteria system,there were 12 cases(50.0%)with excellent outcome,9 cases(37.5%)with good outcome,and 3 cases(12.5%)with fair outcome.The postoperative Frankel grading were C for 1 case,D for 2 cases,and E for 21 cases.There were no complications intraoperatively and postoperatively.The symptoms were improved in all patients.Conclusion By using "safe triangular zone" and dekyphosis stabilization,the posterior far lateral approach was a relatively safe,reliable,effective and better view surgical procedure for the treatment of the thoracic and thoracolumbar disc herniations.

Objective:To explore the relationships between the endothelial microparticles (EMPs)in peripheral blood and CD4+ CD25 + Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and their cytokine levels in the patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS),and to clarify the mechanism of EMPs in the pathogenesis of ACS by affecting the Treg cell differentiation and function.Methods:Twenty-three patients with stable angina (SAP)were allocated to SAP group,and 52 patients with ACS were allocated to ACS group.Twenty individuals with normal conventional coronary angiography results were recruited as control group.The levels of EMPs and the percents of CD4+ CD25 +Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in peripheral blood of the patients in various groups were measured by flow cytometry. The expressions of Foxp3 mRNA and the plasma levels of TGF-β1 were detected with Real-Time PCR and ELISA, respectively.Correlation analysis was performed between EMPs and regulatory T cells,Foxp3 mRNA expression level and TGF-β1 level.Results:Compared with control group and SAP group,the level of EMPs in peripheral blood of the patients in ACS group was increased significantly,but the percentage of regulatory T cells,the Foxp3 mRNA expression level and the plasma TGF-β1 level were decreased markedly (P <0.01).The correlation analysis showed that there were significantly negative correlation between EMPs and regulatory T cells,Foxp3 mRNA expression level and TGF-β1 level (r = - 0.452,P = 0.001;r = - 0.466,P = 0.001;r = - 0.555,P = 0.000 ). Conclusion:EMPs may involve in the process of occurrence and development of ACS and plaque instability by regulating the differentiation and function of CD4+ CD25 + Foxp3 + regulatory T cells.

Objective To evaluate the conventional ultrasound (US) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in diagnosis of splenic trauma including its grading diagnosis. Methods US and CEUS in 42 patients with splenic trauma confirmed by CT and/or operation were performed during 9.2004-10.2007. All the data were compared and analyzed retrospectively. Results Of 42 patients with splenic trauma, 28 cases were detected and 14 cases were missed on US examination, whereas, 40 cases were detected and only 2 mild cases were missed on CEUS examination. The detection rate of lesions with CEUS was significantly higher than that of US (P<0.001) . Ten cases in grading the injury were underestimated by US, however, none of them were underestimated by CEUS. CEUS had good concordance with CT and/or operation in grading diagnosis of 42 cases except two mild cases. Conclusions CEUS has very good concordance with CT and/or operation in detecting injury and grading the splenic trauma compared with conventional US. CEUS as a new imaging technology has made great advance of ultrasoongraphy in evaluation of splenic trauma including injury grading,and it is very useful in clinical application.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of acetylcholine (ACh) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammatory model of rat alveolar macrophages, and to observe the effect of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine (Phy) on the anti-inflammatory effect of ACh.Methods The rat alveolar macrophages NR8383 were cultured in vitro, which were divided into five groups: blank control group, LPS group (stimulated with 1 mg/L LPS for 12 hours), LPS+ ACh group (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100μmol/L of ACh were added for 5 minutes before LPS stimulation), LPS+ Phy group (1 mmol/L Phy was added for 5 minutes before LPS stimulation), and LPS+ ACh+ Phy group (1 mmol/L Phy and 10μmol/L ACh were added for 5 minutes before LPS stimulation). The supernatants were collected in each group, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assay the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukins (IL-1β, and IL-6). The activity of acetylcholine esterase (AChE ) in the supernatant was also determined.Results① The contents of TNF-α (ng/L: 605.09±57.13 vs. 34.07±8.62), IL-1β (ng/L: 377.09±28.55 vs. 32.33±10.62) and IL-6 (ng/L: 558.04±77.45 vs. 42.62±11.21) in the LPS group were significantly higher than those in the blank control group (allP< 0.05). These results indicated that the inflammatory model of rat alveolar macrophages was constructed successfully.② ACh with the final concentrations of 0.01, 0.1, and 1μmol/L had less influence on the production of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the culture supernatants of alveolar macrophages stimulated with LPS compared with LPS group (allP> 0.05). Nevertheless, 10μmol/L and 100μmol/L ACh notably reduced the production of TNF-α (ng/L: 451.19±30.67, 332.19±32.19 vs. 604.96±22.56), IL-1β(ng/L: 261.08±24.78, 143.98±28.39 vs. 367.06±10.44) and IL-6 (ng/L: 342.75±54.60, 235.48±29.75 vs. 562.69±63.34) in the culture supernatants compared with the LPS group (allP< 0.05).③ The activity of AChE in the LPS group was significantly higher than that in the blank control group (kU/L: 5.21±0.63 vs. 3.09±0.10,P< 0.05). The activity of AChE was successfully inhibited by 1 mmol/L acetylcholinesterase inhibitor Phy pretreatment compared with that in the LPS group (1.51±0.12 vs. 5.21±0.63,P< 0.05).④ The level of TNF-α (ng/L: 183.17±35.44 vs. 451.19±30.67), IL-1β (ng/L: 91.49±12.27 vs. 261.08±24.78) and IL-6 (ng/L: 108.17±22.82 vs. 342.75±54.60) in the culture supernatants of LPS+ ACh+ Phy group was significantly decreased as compared with LPS+ ACh group (allP< 0.05).Conclusions ACh with the final concentrations of 10μmol/L and 100μmol/L can inhibit the LPS induced inflammatory reaction in alveolar macrophages. The acetylcholinesterase inhibitor Phy can reinforce the ACh-mediated anti-inflammatory effect on alveolar macrophages inflammatory model.

Objective To determine the clinical features of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with pancreatitis.Methods The medical records of 46 patients with pancreatitis among 5 233 SLE patients admitted into Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 1983 to January 2012 were reviewed for retrospective analyses of clinical manifestations,laboratory tests,radiological findings,treatments and prognosis.Results The prevalence of pancreatitis was 0.88％ (46/5 233) in SLE patients.There were 7 males and 39 females with an average age of (33 ± 13) yeats.Acute pancreatitis (n =40) occurred more frequently than chronic pancreatitis (n =6).It appeared mostly in active course of SLE with an involvement of more organs.Hypertriglyceridemia was found in 81.0％ (17/21) lupus-associated acute pancreatitis patients.The average level of triglycerides in severe acute pancreatitis was higher than that in mild acute pancreatitis (P =0.023).The mortality rate of lupus-associated acute pancreatitis was 37.5％ (15/40).Most patients received high-dose glucocorticoid and immunosuppressants.Acute pancreatitis appeared in only 5 patients during the course of steroids pulse therapy and most symptoms were mild.Concomitant infections were correlated with poor prognosis (P ＜ 0.01).The most common manifestations of lupus-associated chronic pancreatitis were abdominal pain,jaundice and pancreatic enlargement.Autoimmune pancreatitis could be the initial manifestation of lupus.Conclusions Pancreatitis with SLE includes acute and chronic pancreatitis.Among them,acute pancreatitis is more common and severe and it usually occurs in patients with active SLE with a high mortality.Hypertriglyceridemia may induce and aggravate lupus-associated acute pancreatitis.Early aggressive management with high-dose steroids and immunosuppressants is recommended.Concomitant infection is a risk factor of poor prognosis.

Objective To explore the association between folic acid supplementation during periconcerptional period and congenital heart disease in newborns to provide scientific evidence for making intervening measures.Methods Using stratified random cluster sampling,a total of 30 counties were sampled from Shaanxi Province.A questionnaire survey was conducted among childbearing-aged women pregnant between January 2010 and November 2013.All of the included women had definite pregnancy outcomes and had signed the consent form.Logistic regression was performed to investigate the association between folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and congenital heart disease in newborns.Results In total,28 354 questionnaires were available for analysis.The overall prevalence of congenital heart disease among live-birth neonates in the present study was 7.3‰.The percentage of childbearing-age women who had taken folic acid supplementation during pregnancy was 64.4％,while only 17.2％ of them took folic acid according to the specification.Taking folic acid regularly during pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of congenital heart disease among the newborns (OR 0.502,95％ CI:0.279 0.902).The multiple-factor analysis results also showed that taking folic acid regularly during periconcerptional period could reduce the risk of congenital heart disease (adjusted OR=0.512,P=0.046) when we controlled the family background factors,mother factors and exposure risk factors during pregnancy.However,no association was found between irregularly taking folic acid during periconcerptional period and the risk of congenital heart disease.Conclusion Taking folic acid according to the specification during periconcerptional period (taking folic acid during 3 months before pregnancy to 3 months after pregnancy with a daily dose of 0.4mg for more than 90 days) may prevent congenital heart disease of newborns.