Objective: To investigate the changes of dentin surface and the effects of different surface treatments on the rebonding effect following non-destructive restoration removal by an Er:YAG laser and to provide reference for oral clinical operation Methods: This study was approved by the ethics review committee of the unit. Using computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology, 102 zirconia specimens (4 mm × 4 mm × 1.5 mm) were fabricated. In total, 110 impacted third molar teeth were extracted, and 102 dentine blocks (4 mm × 4 mm × 2 mm) were prepared. The zirconia specimen and dentin blocks were bonded with resin cement before removal with an Er: YAG laser. Three disassembled dentin blocks were randomly selected, and the components of dentin surface elements were analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The removed dentin blocks were randomly divided into three groups (n = 33) based on the different surface treatments: control group (no treatment), sandblasting group (50 μm, Al2O3 sandblasting), and laser irradiation group (Er: YAG laser irradiation, parameters were set to 10 Hz, 60 mJ, 0.6 W). Three dentin blocks were randomly selected in each group for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation, and the residual resin on dentin surface of remaining 30 dentin blocks in each group were observed under an optical microscope at 20 times magnification. Scores were obtained using the adhesive remnant index (ARI) method. Three groups of dentin blocks (n = 30) that underwent different surface treatments were rebonded with resin cement according to standard procedures and then divided into two subgroups for aging (n = 15). One subgroup was subjected to a 37 ℃ water bath for 24 h, and the other subgroup was subjected to 5 000 thermal cycles after a 37 ℃ water bath for 24 h, and the micro-shear bonding strength of each group was measured. The microshear bonding strength of each group was measured, and fracture modes were analyzed. The differences of dentine surface ARI between the three groups, as well as the inter-group differences in fracture mode, and bonding strength, and the intra-group differences before and after aging were compared between the three groups. Results: When zirconia was removed by Er: YAG laser, there was no obvious damage on the dentin surface, but C and Si elements in dentin increased significantly. After different surface treatments, the ARI scores of the sandblasting and laser irradiation groups were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05), while ARI was not significantly different between the sandblasting and laser irradiation groups (P>0.05). The dentin surface morphology was also different. There was a large amount of residual resin on the dentin surface of the control group. In the sandblasting group, the residual resin was lower, the dentin surface was rough, and the dentin tubules were visible. A large amount of residual resin was observed on the dentin surface of the laser irradiation group. After 24 h of water bath at 37 ℃, the bonding strengths of the control group, sandblasting group, and laser irradiation group were (6.13 ± 2.40) MPa, (9.39 ± 2.00) MPa, and (5.85 ± 1.44) MPa, respectively, and the bonding strength of the sandblasting group was significantly higher than that of the other two groups (P<0.05). After being subjected to 24 h of water bath at 37 ℃ and 5 000 thermal cycles, the bonding strengths of the control group, sandblasting group, and laser irradiation group were (5.39 ± 0.83) MPa, (8.45 ± 1.20) MPa and (4.84 ± 1.43) MPa, respectively. The bonding strength of the sandblasting group was significantly higher than that of the other two groups (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the control group, sandblasting group, and laser irradiation group before and after 5 000 thermal cycles following 24 h of water bath at 37 ℃ (P>0.05). In the control group, sandblasting group, and laser irradiation group, cohesive fracture was not observed. The fracture mode was mainly adhesive fracture. Before and after 5 000 thermal cycles, the frequency of mixed fracture in the sandblasting group was significantly higher than that in the other two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Er: YAG laser removal of zirconia does not damage dentin, but a large amount of resin remains on the dentin surface after removal. The sandblasting process can effectively remove these residual resins, thereby improving the dentine rebonding effect.

BACKGROUND: The potential impact of pre-existing coronary artery stenosis (CAS) on right ventricular (RV) function during acute pulmonary embolism (PE) episodes remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association between pre-existing CAS and RV dysfunction in patients with acute PE. METHODS: In this multicenter, case-control study, 89 cases and 176 controls matched for age were enrolled at three study centers (Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Fuwai Hospital, and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University) from January 2016 to December 2020. The cases were patients with acute PE with CAS, and the controls were patients with acute PE without CAS. Coronary artery assessment was performed using coronary computed tomographic angiography. CAS was defined as ≥50% stenosis of the lumen diameter in any coronary vessel >2.0 mm in diameter. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between CAS and RV dysfunction. RESULTS: The percentages of RV dysfunction (19.1% [17/89] vs. 44.6% [78/176], P <0.001) and elevated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP) (19.3% [17/89] vs. 39.5% [68/176], P = 0.001) were significantly lower in the case group than those in the control group. In the multivariable logistic regression model, CAS was independently and negatively associated with RV dysfunction (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.367; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.185-0.728; P = 0.004), and elevated sPAP (OR: 0.490; 95% CI: 0.252-0.980; P = 0.035), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Pre-existing CAS was significantly and negatively associated with RV dysfunction and elevated sPAP in patients with acute PE. This finding provides new insights into RV dysfunction in patients with acute PE with pre-existing CAS.
Humans ; Pulmonary Embolism/complications* ; Case-Control Studies ; Male ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right/physiopathology* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Coronary Stenosis/complications* ; Logistic Models ; Adult

Bacillus velezensis DJ1 exhibits broad-spectrum antagonistic activity against diverse phytopathogenic fungi, while its biocontrol mechanisms against Fusarium graminearum, the causal agent of maize stalk rot, remain poorly characterized. In this study, we integrated genomics and transcriptomics to elucidate the antifungal mechanisms of strain DJ1. The results demonstrated that DJ1 inhibited F. graminearum with the efficacy of 64.4%, while its polyketide crude extract achieved the control efficacy of 55% in pot experiments against this disease. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a single circular chromosome (3 929 792 bp, GC content of 47%) harboring 12 biosynthetic gene clusters for secondary metabolites, six of which encoded known antimicrobial compounds (macrolactin H, bacillaene, difficidin, surfactin, fengycin, and bacilysin). Transcriptomic analysis identified 243 differentially expressed genes (152 upregulated and 91 downregulated, P < 0.05), which were potentially associated with the antagonistic activity against F. graminearum. KEGG enrichment analysis highlighted activation (P < 0.05) of cysteine/methionine metabolism, pentose phosphate pathway, and polyketide biosynthesis pathways, indicating that DJ1 employed synergistic strategies involving antimicrobial compound synthesis, energy metabolism enhancement, and nutrient competition to suppress pathogens. This study provides a theoretical foundation for developing novel microbial resources and application technologies to combat phytopathogenic fungi.
Fusarium/drug effects* ; Bacillus/metabolism* ; Plant Diseases/prevention & control* ; Antifungal Agents/pharmacology* ; Genomics ; Zea mays/microbiology* ; Transcriptome ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Antibiosis ; Multigene Family ; Multiomics

Objective : To investigate the therapeutic effects of a small interfering RNA(siRNA) vector targeting peptidyl arginine deaminase 4(PAD4) and splenocytes infected with a PAD4-siRNA virus, on collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) mice, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods : The experiment mice were divided into four groups: control group, model group, therapy group 1 and therapy group 2, with 7 mice in each group. Control group mice were not treated. Initially, collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) mice model were established using bovine type II collagen. Model group mice were injected by PBS buffer Therapy group 1 mice were injected of PAD4-siRNA virus solution into the tail vein of the CIA mice, while therapy group 2 mice were injected of splenocytes infected with PAD4-siRNA virus via the same route. These injections were carried out once a week for a total of eight weeks. Subsequently, the alterations in T follicular helper(Tfh), T follicular regulatory(Tfr), T helper 1(Th1), and CD4+IL-10+T cells in the splenocytes of the mice were analyzed. Additionally, the pathological changes in the articular cartilage of the mice joints were detected. Results : Comparison with control group, mice of model group exhibited a significant increase in the proportions of Tfh and Th1 cells in the spleen(P<0.05), while the proportions of Tfr and CD4+IL-10+T cells remained unchanged. Comparison with model group, therapy group 1 and therapy group 2 demonstrated a significant decrease in the proportions of Tfh and Th1 cells(P<0.05), with no changes were observed in the proportions of Tfr and CD4+IL-10+T cells. Additionally, the articular surface in the mice of control group was smooth, whereas model group showed signs of inflammatory cell infiltration, rough articular surface, and cartilage destruction. Following treatment with PAD4-siRNA, the infiltration of inflammatory cells and cartilage destruction in the hind paws of CIA mice in therapy group 1 were reduced. However, no reduction was observed in the infiltration of inflammatory cells and cartilage destruction in the front paws of CIA mice. In contrast, therapy group 2 exhibited a reduction in the infiltration of inflammatory cells and cartilage destruction in both the front and hind paws of CIA mice. Conclusion Gene silencing of PAD4 expression can decrease the proportion of Tfh and Th1 cells, leading to an amelioration of pathological changes in joints and cartilage of hind paws. Furthermore, the therapeutic efficacy is observed in the front paws of CIA mice, and PAD4-siRNA plays a role on CIA mice by regulating T cells subpopulation of splenocytes.

Objective : To analyze the trends in mortality and life lost due to bladder cancer in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province from 2003 to 2022, so as to provide the reference for prevention and treatment strategy of bladder cancer. Methods: The data of bladder cancer death in Suzhou City from 2003 to 2022 were collected through Suzhou Residents' Death Registration System, including age, gender, date of death and underlying cause of death. The crude mortality, standardized mortality, years of potential life lost (PYLL), standardized years of potential life lost (SPYLL), years of potential life lost rate (PYLLR), standardized years of potential life lost rate (SPYLLR) and average years of life lost (AYLL) were calculated. The average annual percent change (AAPC) was used to analyze the trends in bladder cancer death and life lost. Results: Totally 2 978 deaths occurred due to bladder cancer in Suzhou City from 2003 to 2022. The crude mortality was 2.22/105, which appeared a tendency towards a rise (AAPC=4.271%, P<0.05). The standardized mortality was 0.91/105, which appeared no significant changing trend (P>0.05). The standardized mortality was 1.58/105 in males and 0.37/105 in females, which appeared no significant tendency in males (P>0.05) and appeared a tendency towards a decline in females (AAPC=-2.331%, P<0.05). The age-specific crude mortality was low among people who aged under 45 years, began to rise among people aged over 45 years and peaked among people aged 60 years and older. The crude mortality of bladder cancer in males aged 60 years and older showed an increasing trend (AAPC=2.864%, P<0.05), but there was no significant tendency in females aged 60 years and older (P>0.05). The PYLL, SPYLL, PYLLR, SPYLLR and AYLL of bladder cancer were 5 020.00 person-years, 2 945.14 person-years, 0.04‰, 0.03‰ and 9.07 years per person. SPYLL, SPYLLR and AYLL showed an decreasing trend (AAPC=-2.867%, -3.321%, -3.738%, P<0.05). Conclusions The mortality of bladder cancer in Suzhou City appeared a tendency towards a rise from 2003 to 2022. The PYLL appeared a downward trend. Males aged 60 years and older are the key groups for the prevention and control of bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the metabolites of Zhideke granules and speculate its metabolic pathway in rats in vivo. METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into blank group and administration group （Zhideke granules， 9.45 g/kg）； they were given ultrapure water or relevant medicine， twice a day， every 6-8 h， for 3 consecutive days. Serum， urine and feces samples of rats were collected， and their metabolites were identified by UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS technique after intragastric administration of Zhideke granules； their metabolic pathways were speculated. RESULTS After intragastric administration of Zhideke granules， 16 prototype components （i.g. irisflorentin， baicalin， chlorogenic acid） and 11 metabolites （i.g. hydration products of kaempferol or luteolin， methylation products of chlorogenic acid， and hydroxylation products of baicalin） were identified in serum， urine and feces of rats. Among them， 8 prototype components and 4 metabolites were identified in serum samples； 10 prototype components and 7 metabolites were identified in urine samples； 8 prototype components and 5 metabolites were identified in the fecal samples. CONCLUSIONS The metabolites of Zhideke granules in rats mainly include baicalin， irisflorentin，chlorogenic acid， and the main metabolic pathways included methylation， hydroxylation， glucuronidation.

Background::Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has potential risks for both clinically worsening pulmonary hypertension (PH) and increasing mortality. However, the data regarding the protective role of vaccination in this population are still lacking. This study aimed to assess the safety of approved vaccination for patients with PH.Methods::In this national prospective cohort study, patients diagnosed with PH (World Health Organization [WHO] groups 1 and 4) were enrolled from October 2021 to April 2022. The primary outcome was the composite of PH-related major adverse events. We used an inverse probability weighting (IPW) approach to control for possible confounding factors in the baseline characteristics of patients.Results::In total, 706 patients with PH participated in this study (mean age, 40.3 years; mean duration after diagnosis of PH, 8.2 years). All patients received standardized treatment for PH in accordance with guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of PH in China. Among them, 278 patients did not receive vaccination, whereas 428 patients completed the vaccination series. None of the participants were infected with COVID-19 during our study period. Overall, 398 patients received inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine, whereas 30 received recombinant protein subunit vaccine. After adjusting for baseline covariates using the IPW approach, the odds of any adverse events due to PH in the vaccinated group did not statistically significantly increase (27/428 [6.3%] vs. 24/278 [8.6%], odds ratio = 0.72, P = 0.302). Approximately half of the vaccinated patients reported at least one post-vaccination side effects, most of which were mild, including pain at the injection site (159/428, 37.1%), fever (11/428, 2.6%), and fatigue (26/428, 6.1%). Conclusions::COVID-19 vaccination did not significantly augment the PH-related major adverse events for patients with WHO groups 1 and 4 PH, although there were some tolerable side effects. A large-scale randomized controlled trial is warranted to confirm this finding. The final approval of the COVID-19 vaccination for patients with PH as a public health strategy is promising.

Background::The potential impact of pre-existing coronary artery stenosis (CAS) on acute pulmonary embolism (PE) episodes remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association between pre-existing CAS and the elevation of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) levels in patients with PE.Methods::In this multicenter, prospective case-control study, 88 cases and 163 controls matched for age, sex, and study center were enrolled. Cases were patients with PE with elevated hs-cTnI. Controls were patients with PE with normal hs-cTnI. Coronary artery assessment utilized coronary computed tomographic angiography or invasive coronary angiography. CAS was defined as ≥50% stenosis of the lumen diameter in any coronary vessel >2.0 mm in diameter. Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between CAS and hs-cTnI elevation.Results::The percentage of CAS was higher in the case group compared to the control group (44.3% [39/88] vs. 30.1% [49/163]; P = 0.024). In multivariable conditional logistic regression model 1, CAS (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.680; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.243–5.779), heart rate >75 beats/min (OR, 2.306; 95% CI, 1.056–5.036) and N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) >420 pg/mL (OR, 12.169; 95% CI, 4.792–30.900) were independently associated with elevated hs-cTnI. In model 2, right CAS (OR, 3.615; 95% CI, 1.467–8.909) and NT-proBNP >420 pg/mL (OR, 13.890; 95% CI, 5.288–36.484) were independently associated with elevated hs-cTnI. Conclusions::CAS was independently associated with myocardial injury in patients with PE. Vigilance towards CAS is warranted in patients with PE with elevated cardiac troponin levels.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of frailty and its influencing factors among the elderly, so as to provide the evidence for prevention and control of frailty. Methods: The elderly population at ages of 65 years and older were selected from 14 administrative villages or communities in Wuzhong District, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, using the random cluster sample method from July to November, 2022. Demographic information, smoking and alcohol consumption were collected through questionnaire surveys. Physical activity, sleep quality and frailty were evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the FRAIL Scale, respectively. Factors affecting frailty among the elderly were evaluated using a multinomial logistic regression model. Results: A total of 8 782 elderly peolple were surveyed, including 4 259 males (48.50%) and 4 523 females (51.50%). The median age was 71.00 (interquartile range, 8.00) years. There were 2 145 cases with pre-frailty (24.42%) and 189 cases with frailty (2.15%). Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that age (75-<85 years, OR=1.330, 95%CI: 1.186-1.492; ≥85 years, OR=2.452, 95%CI: 1.882-3.195), smoking (current smoking, OR=0.838, 95%CI: 0.714-0.983), physical activity level (low, OR=1.161, 95%CI: 1.010-1.333) and sleep quality (poor, OR=2.248, 95%CI: 1.822-2.774) were associated with pre-frailty; age (75-<85 years,OR=2.629, 95%CI: 1.921-3.596; ≥85 years, OR=3.067, 95%CI: 1.621-5.801), educational level (junior high school and above, OR=0.488, 95%CI: 0.298-0.798), body mass index (underweight, OR=1.848, 95%CI: 1.023-3.337; obesity, OR=1.798, 95%CI: 1.180-2.740), smoking (quit smoking, OR=1.787, 95%CI: 1.007-3.171; current smoking, OR=0.448, 95%CI: 0.242-0.830), alcohol consumption (yes, OR=0.532, 95%CI: 0.291-0.972), physical activity level (low, OR=2.757, 95%CI: 1.646-4.616) and sleep quality (poor, OR=3.911, 95%CI: 2.438-6.273) were associated with frailty. Conclusion Older, low physical activity level, poor sleep quality, underweight and obesity are associated with frailty of the elderly.

Objective To analyze the epidemic trend of type 2 diabetes in Suzhou from 2013 to 2022 and the early death and life loss of type 2 diabetes due to outdoor PM_2.5. Methods The indicators of death number, mortality rate, years of early life lost (YLL) and years of life lost per thousand (YLL rate) were selected, and the data of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD2021) were used to analyze the death information of type 2 diabetes in Suzhou. Results The number of deaths, mortality, YLL and YLL rate caused by type 2 diabetes in Suzhou from 2013 to 2022, showed an upward trend, and the number of deaths , YLL and YLL rate of type 2 diabetes attributed to PM_2.5 also showed an upward trend (P<0.001). The death toll of type 2 diabetes attributable to PM_2.5 totaled 3887 cases , the YLL was 61 974 person years, and the YLL rate was 0.89‰. Conclusion Type 2 diabetes has seriously threatened the health of residents in Suzhou , and the disease burden due to outdoor PM_2.5 is on the rise. It is important to carry out three-level prevention and improve air quality for type 2 diabetes to improve the health of residents.