OBJECTIVE To investigate the management status of small pressure steam sterilizers in dental institu-tions across seven major regions of China and provide references for establishing standardized monitoring and eval-uation protocols for sterilization efficacy.METHODS From Aug.to Nov.2023,a convenience sampling method was employed to select 885 dental institutions of various levels from seven geographical regions.An online survey using a self-designed questionnaire was conducted to assess the management status of small pressure steam steri-lizers in dental institutions.RESULTS A total of 885 questionnaires were distributed,with 770 valid responses col-lected,covering 770 dental institutions at all levels.The survey involved 2 056 small pressure steam sterilizers,of which 43.14％were pre-vacuum type and 89.40％were benchtop models.Tertiary dental institutions had the high-est proportion of imported small pressure steam sterilizers(60.15％),with most devices in use for 5-10 years(36.88％).Secondary and low er-level institutions predominantly used domestically produced small pressure steam sterilizers(74.60％),which used for 3-5 years accounting for the highest proportion(34.29％).While 85.58％of dental institutions employed dedicated sterilization personnel,only 45.84％performed proper maintenance for small pressure steam sterilizers.Training rates were 80.00％for department of stomatology in ungraded general hospitals and primary medical institutions,76.19％in prejob and 71.43％during the work for department of sto-matology in primary clinics,respectively.CONCLUSIONS Although most dental institutions demonstrate sound policy formulation,challenges persist in equipment maintenance,policy implementation and grassroots training.Future efforts should be made on strengthening maintenance and inspection of equipment,enhancing sys-tem supervisory mechanisms,and optimizing training systems to ensure dental treatment safety.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the management status of small pressure steam sterilizers in dental institu-tions across seven major regions of China and provide references for establishing standardized monitoring and eval-uation protocols for sterilization efficacy.METHODS From Aug.to Nov.2023,a convenience sampling method was employed to select 885 dental institutions of various levels from seven geographical regions.An online survey using a self-designed questionnaire was conducted to assess the management status of small pressure steam steri-lizers in dental institutions.RESULTS A total of 885 questionnaires were distributed,with 770 valid responses col-lected,covering 770 dental institutions at all levels.The survey involved 2 056 small pressure steam sterilizers,of which 43.14％were pre-vacuum type and 89.40％were benchtop models.Tertiary dental institutions had the high-est proportion of imported small pressure steam sterilizers(60.15％),with most devices in use for 5-10 years(36.88％).Secondary and low er-level institutions predominantly used domestically produced small pressure steam sterilizers(74.60％),which used for 3-5 years accounting for the highest proportion(34.29％).While 85.58％of dental institutions employed dedicated sterilization personnel,only 45.84％performed proper maintenance for small pressure steam sterilizers.Training rates were 80.00％for department of stomatology in ungraded general hospitals and primary medical institutions,76.19％in prejob and 71.43％during the work for department of sto-matology in primary clinics,respectively.CONCLUSIONS Although most dental institutions demonstrate sound policy formulation,challenges persist in equipment maintenance,policy implementation and grassroots training.Future efforts should be made on strengthening maintenance and inspection of equipment,enhancing sys-tem supervisory mechanisms,and optimizing training systems to ensure dental treatment safety.

Crisis management in emergent public health event is a global difficult problem for researchers worldwide, which is highlighted by World Health Organization for its vital importance to public sanitation and health, life quality and survival. This article briefly analyzes and summarizes the relevant legal issues faced by stomatological institutions and workers after the emergent crisis caused by COVID-19 virus breakout in China since December 2019, so as to provide legal advises and guidance to stomatological institutions for responding public health emergencies.

Objective:To investigate the effect of virtual reality (VR) attention training on cognitive function in patients with depressive episode.Methods:64 patients diagnosed as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder depressive episodes according to the DSM-5 criteria were recruited. They were randomized into virtual reality training (VRT) group ( n=23), computerized cognitive remediation therapy (CCRT) group ( n=21) and blank control group ( n=20). Prior to the intervention, seven cognitive functions were assessed with the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB)-B version in all patients, via information processing speed (IPS), attention/alertness (ATT), working memory, word learning, visual learning (VL), reasoning and problem solving, and social cognition. VRT group and CCRT group were trained for four weeks at a frequency of five days a week, and half an hour for each day training. Blank control group did not receive any treatment related to attention training. After the training, three groups were assessed by the MCCB-A. The differences of the cognitive functions among three groups were explored by the repeated analysis of ANOVA and paired sample ttest. Results:(1) Before the intervention, there were no differences in all cognitive functions (all P>0.05) among three groups. (2) After four-week interventions, the cognition of IPS, ATT and VL in VRT group (56.74±9.68, 56.48±10.22, 57.83±4.16), CCRT group (48.90±9.77, 49.48±9.51, 55.95±5.52) and the blank control group (50.35±7.93, 47.55±7.80, 47.95±9.90) had significant groups×time interactions ( F=14.06, 12.88, 9.39, all P<0.01); simple effect analysis showed that IPS and ATT scores in VRT group were higher than both CCRT group and the blank control group (all P<0.05), while the VL scores in VRT group and CCRT group were both higher than the blank control group (all P<0.01).(3) Cognitive functions in VRT group significantly improved in IPS, ATT, VL and overall domains compared with the baseline ( t=-9.33, -6.00, -5.13, -6.26, all P<0.01). Conclusion:VR attention training may be more beneficial than CCRT attention training to improve the attention among depressive patients.

Objective:To investigate the character and prevalence of cognitive impairment of patients with bipolar Ⅱ depression (BD-Ⅱ).Methods:124 patients diagnosed as bipolar Ⅱ depression according to the DSM-5 criteria and 124 demographically matched healthy subjects were recruited. Seven cognitive functions were assessed with the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) Consensus Cognitive Battery(MCCB) in all participants, including speed of processing (SOP), attention vigilance (AV), working memory (WM), verbal learning (VER), visual learning (VIS), reasoning problem solving (RPS), and social cognition (SC), and the composite. Analysis of covariance was used to test the differences in cognitive function. The number and percentage of cognitive domains impairment which was defined as the cognitive domains scored below standard values by 1, 1.5 and 2 standard deviation (SD) were explored.Results:(1) BD-Ⅱ patients were significantly impaired on seven MCCB domains and the composite scores compared with HC (all P<0.01). Correlation analysis showed that the scores of VER, RPS negatively correlated to the number of episodes ( r=-0.212, P=0.018; r=-0.183, P=0.042); (2) Most healthy control participants were not impaired on any 2 cognitive domains at 1.5 SD (79.84%,99/124) and 2 SD (92.74%,115/124) cut-offs, with the 2.42%-6.45% cognitive impairment at the 1.5 SD cut-off, and 0-4.84% at the 2 SD cut-off accordingly. (3) At the 1.5 SD cut-off, 33.06%,41/124 of the BD-Ⅱ patients were cognitively impaired in two or more domains, while at the 2.0 SD cut-off, 14.52%,18/124 of patients were cognitively impaired. Meanwhile, the incidence of impairment in various cognitive domains was 9.68%-24.19% and 3.23%-15.32%, of which the incidence rate of visual learning impairment was 12.90%, and the incidence rate of impairment in working memory and social cognition was 24.19%. Conclusions:Participants with BD-Ⅱ depression were generally impaired on a greater number of cognitive domains with a higher percentage than the healthy controls, especially on the cognitive domains of working memory, visual learning, and social cognition. And the domains of verbal learning and reasoning problem solving were negatively correlated with the number of episodes.

Objective:To investigate the effect of virtual reality (VR) attention training on cognitive function in patients with depressive episode.Methods:64 patients diagnosed as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder depressive episodes according to the DSM-5 criteria were recruited. They were randomized into virtual reality training (VRT) group ( n=23), computerized cognitive remediation therapy (CCRT) group ( n=21) and blank control group ( n=20). Prior to the intervention, seven cognitive functions were assessed with the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB)-B version in all patients, via information processing speed (IPS), attention/alertness (ATT), working memory, word learning, visual learning (VL), reasoning and problem solving, and social cognition. VRT group and CCRT group were trained for four weeks at a frequency of five days a week, and half an hour for each day training. Blank control group did not receive any treatment related to attention training. After the training, three groups were assessed by the MCCB-A. The differences of the cognitive functions among three groups were explored by the repeated analysis of ANOVA and paired sample ttest. Results:(1) Before the intervention, there were no differences in all cognitive functions (all P>0.05) among three groups. (2) After four-week interventions, the cognition of IPS, ATT and VL in VRT group (56.74±9.68, 56.48±10.22, 57.83±4.16), CCRT group (48.90±9.77, 49.48±9.51, 55.95±5.52) and the blank control group (50.35±7.93, 47.55±7.80, 47.95±9.90) had significant groups×time interactions ( F=14.06, 12.88, 9.39, all P<0.01); simple effect analysis showed that IPS and ATT scores in VRT group were higher than both CCRT group and the blank control group (all P<0.05), while the VL scores in VRT group and CCRT group were both higher than the blank control group (all P<0.01).(3) Cognitive functions in VRT group significantly improved in IPS, ATT, VL and overall domains compared with the baseline ( t=-9.33, -6.00, -5.13, -6.26, all P<0.01). Conclusion:VR attention training may be more beneficial than CCRT attention training to improve the attention among depressive patients.

Objective:To investigate the character and prevalence of cognitive impairment of patients with bipolar Ⅱ depression (BD-Ⅱ).Methods:124 patients diagnosed as bipolar Ⅱ depression according to the DSM-5 criteria and 124 demographically matched healthy subjects were recruited. Seven cognitive functions were assessed with the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) Consensus Cognitive Battery(MCCB) in all participants, including speed of processing (SOP), attention vigilance (AV), working memory (WM), verbal learning (VER), visual learning (VIS), reasoning problem solving (RPS), and social cognition (SC), and the composite. Analysis of covariance was used to test the differences in cognitive function. The number and percentage of cognitive domains impairment which was defined as the cognitive domains scored below standard values by 1, 1.5 and 2 standard deviation (SD) were explored.Results:(1) BD-Ⅱ patients were significantly impaired on seven MCCB domains and the composite scores compared with HC (all P<0.01). Correlation analysis showed that the scores of VER, RPS negatively correlated to the number of episodes ( r=-0.212, P=0.018; r=-0.183, P=0.042); (2) Most healthy control participants were not impaired on any 2 cognitive domains at 1.5 SD (79.84%,99/124) and 2 SD (92.74%,115/124) cut-offs, with the 2.42%-6.45% cognitive impairment at the 1.5 SD cut-off, and 0-4.84% at the 2 SD cut-off accordingly. (3) At the 1.5 SD cut-off, 33.06%,41/124 of the BD-Ⅱ patients were cognitively impaired in two or more domains, while at the 2.0 SD cut-off, 14.52%,18/124 of patients were cognitively impaired. Meanwhile, the incidence of impairment in various cognitive domains was 9.68%-24.19% and 3.23%-15.32%, of which the incidence rate of visual learning impairment was 12.90%, and the incidence rate of impairment in working memory and social cognition was 24.19%. Conclusions:Participants with BD-Ⅱ depression were generally impaired on a greater number of cognitive domains with a higher percentage than the healthy controls, especially on the cognitive domains of working memory, visual learning, and social cognition. And the domains of verbal learning and reasoning problem solving were negatively correlated with the number of episodes.

Objective To investigate the minimal and optimal concentration of ropivacain for epidural anesthesia in patients with breast cancer.Methods 103 patients with breast cancer ASA Ⅰ-Ⅱ undergoing elective radical mastectomy were conducted with epidural anesthesia.T2-3 were selected as a puncture site.A catheter was inserted into the epidural space in a cephalic direction for 3.5-4.0 cm.The concentration of ropivacain was produced by the test of up-down sequential allocation technique.20-25 ml of 0.20 ％ ropivacaine was given after a test of 0.20 ％ 5 ml ropivacaine.If the anesthesia was effective (VAS≤3),the next concentration was down 0.01％,while the VAS was more than 5,the next concentration was up 0.01％.The anesthesia effect and segments of block were measured with acupuncture.Blood pressure (NIBP),heart rates(HR),blood oxygen saturation (SPO2),blood gas and VAS were monitored during operation.Nasal catheter oxygen inhalation was used in routine method.Results The median effective concentration (EC50) of ropivacaine was 0.10 ％ determined by the formula of dixon and massey.The 95 ％ confidence intervals was 0.1022 ％-0.1065 ％.The least and the best analgesic concentration of ropivacaine for the upper thoracic epidural block was 0.14 ％ and 0.17 ％-0.18 ％ respectively.Conclusion The minimal and the optimal analgesic concentration of ropivacaine for the upper thoracic epidural block are 0.14 ％ and 0.17 ％-0.18 ％respectively,and which provides a safe and rational use of ropivacaine for the clinic.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of air disinfection methods to improve air quality in dental clinic.METHODS Electrostatic attraction method was used to disinfect air in dental clinic.Air samples here collected before,during and after daily and treatments compared.Bacterial colonies were counted. The air effect of disinfection was compared with undisinfected control group in terms of total number of germs.RESULTS Bacterial count of disinfected group was lower than that of undisinfected group(P

AIM: To investigate the effect of deafferentation on the expression level of calretinin (CR) in adult Sprague Dawley rat olfactory bulb (OB). METHODS: Adult Sprague Dawley rats were given a single intranasal irrigation with ZnSO_4. A specific period (10, 20, 30 and 60 days, respectively) after the treatment, immunoreactivities of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and calretinin of OB were examined by using immunohistochemistry. Down-regulation of TH expression level was regarded as a mark of deafferentation. RESULTS: 10, 20, 30 and 60 days after ZnSO_4 treatment, staining intensity and density of TH-immunoreactive cells of OB significantly reduced and the degree of reduction was correlated with the time of treatment before 30 days, but the result of 60 d was similar to that of 30 d. There was no obvious change in the density of CR-immunopositive cells after the same treatment. CONCLUSION: Expression of CR in adult rat OB was not affected by deafferentation.