OBJECTIVEThe objective of this study is to investigate the influence of zirconia content which is 0-30.0% weight percentage of matrix on translucency of zirconia-toughened alumina glass-infiltrated ceramics.

METHODSSeven groups were divided according to different weight percentage of zirconia (0, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, 10.0%, 20.0% and 30.0%). After sintering, infiltrating and polishing, spectral transmittance was determined with spectrophotometer under D65 standard source. Contrast ratio was also tested by whiteness colorimeter.

RESULTSWith mass fraction of zirconia increasing from 0 to 30.0%, spectral transmittance reduced from 0.406% to 0.058%, while contrast ratio value increased from 0.849 +/- 0.005 to 1.015 +/- 0.006. When zirconia content was 10.0%, contrast ratio was 0.990 +/- 0.008. When it was more than 10.0%, transmission rate of the downward trend and contrast ratio of the rising trend became flat.

CONCLUSIONZirconia content has a direct impact on translucency of zirconia-toughened alumina glass-infiltrated ceramic, which is essentially opaque when zirconia content is 10.0%. When mass fraction of zirconia is more than 10.0%, the influence of zirconia content is reduced.

Aluminum Oxide ; Ceramics ; Dental Materials ; Dental Porcelain ; Glass ; Zirconium

Objective To study phylogenies, epidemiology and genetic environment of CTX-M type of ESBLs produced by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from nine hospitals in Guangzhou. Methods The phylogenies of CTX-M type of ESBLs were analyzed by PCR Genetic environment of CTX-M-15 encoding gene (bla_(CTX-M-15)) were investigated by conjugation test and plasmid analysis. The clonal relationship of strains producing CTX-M-15 was determined by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR). Results A total of 361 ESBLs-producing isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were collected. 67.3% of ESBLs strains were detected to produce CTX-M-type ESBLs, and the commonest genotypes in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were CTX-M-14 (35.4% and 28.3%), CTX-M-15(21.5% and 26.1%) EBIC-PCR products of all CTX-M-15-producing strains show 39 strains of Escherichia coli were classified into 27 genotypes while 43 strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae were divided into 30 genotypes. Furthermore, the genotypes of CTX-M-55, CTX-M-19, CTX-M-27, with ceftazidime-hydrelyzing activity, were detected in this study. The great majority of bla_(CTX-M-15) genes were found to locate on a 65 000 bp-conjugative plasmid, and there was no blaTEM-1, bla_(OXA-1), blaDSA-1 or aac (6')-Ib-cr gene coexisted on the plasmid, ISEcp1-like insertion sequences, relative to mobilization of bla_(CTX-M-15) gene, were detected in all bla_(CTX-M-15) positive strains, and the distances between the end of ISEcp1-like insertion sequences and the start cedon of bla_(CTX-M-15) were equal, with 48 base pairs. Conclusion CTX-M-14 is still the most common genotype of ESBLs in Guangzhou, but high prevalence of CTX-M-15 ESBLs hydrolyzing ceftazidime already appears in south China.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of azelastine hydro-chloride and budesonide nasal spray in the quality of life ( QOL) in adult patients with persistent allergic rhinitis (AR).Methods One hundred fourty -eight patients with persistent AR were randomly divided into treatment group ( n =50 ) , control group ( n =50 ) and placebo group (n=48).Treatment group was treated with azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray, one spray for each side of the nasal cavity in each morning and night, per spray was 0.14 mg.Control group was treated with bude-sonide nasal spray, two sprays for each side of the nasal cavity in each morning, per spray was 64 μg.Placebo group was treated with 0.9%NaCl , two sprays for each side of the nasal cavity in each morning.Three groups were continued medication for 4 weeks. Comparison of nasal symptoms and quality of life in three groups by nasal symptom score, the MOS item from health survey ( SF -36 ) and rhinoconjunctivitis related quality of life questionnaire ( RQLQ ) . Results In the azelastine hydrochloride and budesonide groups, after 4-week′s treatment, nasal symptom scores, SF -36 scores and RQLQ scores were significantly improved in comparison with the placebo group ( P<0.05).Budesonide treatment for 4 weeks resulted in a significant improvement in nasal symptom scores, SF-36 scores and RQLQ scores than azelastine hydrochloride ( P <0.05 ) . Conclusion Our findings suggested that both azelastine hydrochloride and budesonide nasal spray can significantly im-prove quality of life in the treatment of adult patients with persistent AR.Moreover, this comparative provided the evi-dence that budesonide nasal spray is superior to azelastine hydrochloride nasal spray in improving quality of life of per-sistent AR patients.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is common disease in otorhinolaryngology and will lead to lower airway abnormality. However, the only lung function in CRS patients and associated factors have not been much studied. METHODS: One hundred patients with CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP group), 40 patients with CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP group), and 100 patients without CRS were enrolled. The difference in lung function was compared. Meanwhile, CRSwNP and CRSsNP group were required to undergo a bronchial provocation or dilation test. Additionally, subjective and objective outcomes were measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS), 20-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-20), Lund-Mackay score, Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score. The correlation and regression methods were used to analyze the relationship between their lung function and the above parameters. RESULTS: The forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF25-75) of CRSwNP group were significantly lower than other groups (P<0.05). On peak expiratory flow, there was no difference between three groups. In CRSwNP group, FEV1 was negatively correlated with peripheral blood eosinophil count (PBEC) and duration of disease (r=–0.348, P=0.013 and r=–0.344, P=0.014, respectively), FEF25-75 negatively with VAS, SNOT-20 (r=–0.490, P=0.028 and r=–0.478, P=0.033, respectively) in CRSsNP group. The incidence of positive bronchial provocation and dilation test was lower in CRSwNP group (10% and 0%, respectively), with both 0% in CRSsNP group. The multiple linear regression analysis indicated that change ratio of FEV1 before and after bronchial provocation or dilation test were correlated with PBEC in CRSwNP group (β=0.403, P=0.006). CONCLUSION: CRS leading to impaired maximum ventilation and small airway is associated with the existence of nasal polyp. Lung function impairments can be reflected by PBEC, duration, VAS, and SNOT-20. In CRSwNP patients, PBEC is independent predictor of FEV₁ change ratio.
Bronchial Hyperreactivity ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Eosinophils ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Incidence ; Linear Models ; Lung* ; Nasal Polyps ; Otolaryngology ; Ventilation ; Vital Capacity

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical outcome of reconstruction of maxillary defects with vascularized iliac crest flap and simultaneous osseointegrated implant embedding.

METHODSDuring September to October 2003, two patients with maxillary defects from tumor resection underwent microsurgical reconstruction. The free iliac osteomuscular flap transferring and simultaneous osseointegrated implant embedding were performed to repair the defects. Three months after the reconstructive surgery, an abutment operation was preformed and denture was applied in both cases.

RESULTSThe flaps survived well. Postoperative follow-up for 8 to 9 months showed that the patients obtained good zygomaxillary appearance, normal occlusion, and satisfactory pronunciation, without oronasal fistula or other serious complications.

CONCLUSIONSThe free iliac crest osteomuscular flap with simultaneous osseointegrated implant embedding is an ideal, effective and cosmetically acceptable method for maxilla reconstruction.

Adult ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Ilium ; transplantation ; Male ; Maxilla ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDThe benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) still remains controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the role of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy with the cisplatin and fluororacil (PF) regimen in enhancing the overall survival of and decreasing locoregional relapse and distant metastasis in HNSCC patients.

METHODSMedline and manual searches were performed to identify all published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the efficacy of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy with the PF regimen. Outcomes assessed by meta-analysis included locoregional relapse, distant metastasis, and overall survival. The odds ratio was the principle measurement of effect, which was calculated as the treatment group (chemotherapy plus locoregional treatment) versus the control group (locoregional treatment alone) and was presented as a point estimate with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTSEight RCTs were adopted for analysis. The meta-analysis showed that the odds ratio for the locoregional relapse was 0.92 (0.70 - 1.22, 95% CI), which was not statistically significant. The odds ratios for distant metastasis and overall survival were 0.47 (0.33 - 0.68, 95% CI) and 1.28 (1.01 - 1.62, 95% CI) respectively, which were both statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONSNeoadjuvant chemotherapy with the PF regimen in HNSCC patients has no effect on locoregional relapse. However, it shows a small but significant benefit in reducing distant metastasis and improving the overall survival.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Humans ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

OBJECTIVETo explore the risk factors of fat necrosis in pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps.

METHODSFrom May 1998 to December 2005, 82 patients underwent reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects with pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps in our hospital. Postoperative fat necrosis of the flaps was occurred in 10 cases. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors.

RESULTS(1) Logistic univariate regression analysis indicated that there was a significant correlation between fat necrosis of pectoralis major myocutaneous flap and the following risk facoars: obesity, subcutaneous tissues dissection performed by electrotome, the design of skin island beyond the seventh costal cartilage and smoking. (2) Logistic multivariate regression analysis suggested that there was a significant correlation between fat necrosis of pectoralis major myocutaneous flap and obesity, subcutaneous tissues dissection performed by electrotome, the design of skin island beyond the seventh costal cartilage, whereas there was no significant correlation between fat necrosis of flap and smoking.

CONCLUSIONSObesity, subcutaneous tissues dissection performed by electrotome and the design of skin island beyond the seventh costal cartilage were the risk factors of fat necrosis in pectoralis major myocutaneous flap.

Fat Necrosis ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Pectoralis Muscles ; pathology ; Postoperative Complications ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Risk Factors ; Surgical Flaps ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the cough-relieving, analgesic and antibiotic effects of durian shell extract (DSE) in relieving cough and its analgesic and antibiotic effects.

METHODSThe effect of DSE in relieving cough was assessed in mice challenged with ammonia and SO(2) to induce coughing. The analgesic and antibiotic effects of DSE in mice were evaluated by hot plate test and twisting reaction induced by acetic acid, and by minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and disc-agar diffusion tests, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the mice treated with 300 and 900 mg/kg DSE showed significantly prolonged latency with decreased number of coughing induced by ammonia and SO(2), and the effect was dose-dependent. DSE markedly prolonged the latency and decreased the twisting number of the mice induced by acetic acid without affecting the pain threshold in hot plate test. DSE produced no significant inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, or E. coli, and showed a week inhibition against Bacillus aeruginosus.

CONCLUSIONDSE shows obvious effect in relieving cough and produces better analgesic effect against chemical factor-induced pain than against physical agent-induced pain sensation. DSE has a moderate inhibitory effect against Bacillus aeruginosus.

Analgesics ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Antitussive Agents ; pharmacology ; Bombacaceae ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation

The aim of this study was to construct Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell models expressing recombinant wild-type GPIb-IX and mutant GPIb-IX complex, so as to provide the platform to study the related physiologic functions of GPIb-IX. The plasmids were extracted from E.coli expressing wild-type or deletion mutant GPIbalpha and were identified by digestion with EcoR I. Three plasmids containing GPIbalpha, GPIbbeta, and GPIX genes were co-transfected into CHO cells, and then the expression of GPIb-IX complex was detected by immune coprecipitation, Western blot and flow cytometry. The results showed that the expression of GPIb-IX complex could be detected in the lysate and on the surface of CHO cells at 48 hours after transfection. In conclusion, CHO cell models expressing recombinant wild-type or mutation GPIb-IX complex has been successfully constructed.
Animals ; CHO Cells ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Mutation ; Plasmids ; Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the morphology of Y chromosome and microdeletion of the correlated specific azoospermia factor(AZF) region on Y chromosome in cases of azoospermia and to identify the genetic diagnosis made for male infertility patients.

METHODSPeripheral blood samples were taken from two patients with azoospermia, and then were examined by use of G banding, C banding cytogenetic analysis and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) microdeletion analysis.

RESULTSThe karyotypes of the two cases were 45, X, -Y, -22, +der(Y)t(Y;22)(q11.2;q11.2) and 46, XY, del(Y)(q11.2) respectively. In 12 sequence-tagged sites(STS) of AZFa, AZFb, AZFd, AZFc, only one was detected in the first case and two were detected in the other case.

CONCLUSIONThe cytogenetic analysis and the detection of AZF microdeletion on Y chromosome are essential to the final genetic diagnosis to be made for male infertility patients.

Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Y ; genetics ; Genetic Loci ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Seminal Plasma Proteins ; genetics