Digital technologies have become an integral part of complete denture restoration. With advancement in computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM), tools such as intraoral scanning, facial scanning, 3D printing, and numerical control machining are reshaping the workflow of complete denture restoration. Unlike conventional methods that rely heavily on clinical experience and manual techniques, digital technologies offer greater precision, predictability, and efficacy. They also streamline the process by reducing the number of patient visits and improving overall comfort. Despite these improvements, the clinical application of digital complete denture restoration still faces challenges that require further standardization. The major issues include appropriate case selection, establishing consistent digital workflows, and evaluating long-term outcomes. To address these challenges and provide clinical guidance for practitioners, this expert consensus outlines the principles, advantages, and limitations of digital complete denture technology. The aim of this review was to offer practical recommendations on indications, clinical procedures and precautions, evaluation metrics, and outcome assessment to support digital restoration of complete denture in clinical practice.
Humans ; Denture, Complete ; Computer-Aided Design ; Denture Design/methods* ; Consensus ; Printing, Three-Dimensional

BACKGROUND: Spicy food consumption has been reported to be inversely associated with mortality from multiple diseases. However, the effect of spicy food intake on the incidence of vascular diseases in the Chinese population remains unclear. This study was conducted to explore this association. METHODS: This study was performed using the large-scale China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) prospective cohort of 486,335 participants. The primary outcomes were vascular disease, ischemic heart disease (IHD), major coronary events (MCEs), cerebrovascular disease, stroke, and non-stroke cerebrovascular disease. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to assess the association between spicy food consumption and incident vascular diseases. Subgroup analysis was also performed to evaluate the heterogeneity of the association between spicy food consumption and the risk of vascular disease stratified by several basic characteristics. In addition, the joint effects of spicy food consumption and the healthy lifestyle score on the risk of vascular disease were also evaluated, and sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the reliability of the association results. RESULTS: During a median follow-up time of 12.1 years, a total of 136,125 patients with vascular disease, 46,689 patients with IHD, 10,097 patients with MCEs, 80,114 patients with cerebrovascular disease, 56,726 patients with stroke, and 40,098 patients with non-stroke cerebrovascular disease were identified. Participants who consumed spicy food 1-2 days/week (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.95, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = [0.93, 0.97], P <0.001), 3-5 days/week (HR = 0.96, 95% CI = [0.94, 0.99], P = 0.003), and 6-7 days/week (HR = 0.97, 95% CI = [0.95, 0.99], P = 0.002) had a significantly lower risk of vascular disease than those who consumed spicy food less than once a week ( Ptrend <0.001), especially in those who were younger and living in rural areas. Notably, the disease-based subgroup analysis indicated that the inverse associations remained in IHD ( Ptrend = 0.011) and MCEs ( Ptrend = 0.002) risk. Intriguingly, there was an interaction effect between spicy food consumption and the healthy lifestyle score on the risk of IHD ( Pinteraction = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS Our findings support an inverse association between spicy food consumption and vascular disease in the Chinese population, which may provide additional dietary guidance for the prevention of vascular diseases.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Prospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Vascular Diseases/etiology* ; Risk Factors ; China/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Cerebrovascular Disorders/epidemiology* ; East Asian People

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of virtual simulation-guided unilateral locking plate combined with Jail screw technique for double column tibial plateau fractures involving the posterolateral plateau.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 32 patients with double column tibial plateau fractures involving the posterolateral plateau admitted to Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Group Suqian Hospital from March 2018 to March 2022, including 20 males and 12 females, aged 37-69 years [(47.5±6.9)years]. According to AO/OTA classification, the fractures were classified as type 41B in 17 patients and type 41C in 15. According to the three-column classification, the fractures were classified as lateral column+posterior column in 17 patients and medial column+posterior column in 15. Virtual simulation technique was used to simulate surgical operation before surgery. After reduction, the patients′ tibial plateau mirror models of the healthy side were used to simulate the implantation of internal fixators on the affected side. The position data of the placed internal fixators were obtained to guide the personalized treatment with unilateral locking plate combined with Jail screw technique. The total number of Jail screws, average number of Jail screws, distribution and accuracy of screw placement, operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, and fracture healing status were recorded. The posterior tibial plateau angle (PTSA), proximal medial tibial angle (MPTA) and Rasmussen anatomical score were compared before operation, at 1, 3, 6, 12 months after operation and at the last follow-up. The Lysholm scores at 6, 12 months after operation and at the last follow-up were used to evaluate the knee function. At the last follow-up, the knee range of motion was measured. Postoperative complications were observed.Results:All the patients were followed up for 28-36 months [(30.7±2.3)months]. The total number of Jail screws inserted was 48, with an average of (1.5±0.5) screws. In the sagittal direction, 1-2 Jail screws were inserted in each patient, with an accuracy rate of 88% (42/48). The operative duration was 78-116 minutes [(98.7±10.5)minutes]. The intraoperative blood loss was 70-120 ml [(96.6±15.6)ml]. All the fractures had healing of stage I, with a healing time of 4-7 months [(5.4±0.9)months]. At 1, 3, 6, 12 months after operation and at last follow-up, the PTSA, MPTA, and Rasmussen anatomical scores were significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05), while there was no statistically significant difference between those at various postoperative time points ( P>0.05). The Lysholm knee scores were (83.6±3.9)points, (88.5±3.6)points, and (93.7±2.6)points at 6, 12 months after operation, and at the last follow-up, respectively, which were gradually increased with the passage of the follow-up time ( P<0.05). The range of motion was (121.4±4.6)° in flexion and was 0.0(0.0, 3.0)° in extension at the last follow-up. Two patients had superficial wound infection and 1 had wound dehiscence after operation, which recovered with dressing change or debridement and suturing. No deep infection, vascular injury or nerve damage occurred. Conclusions:The virtual simulation-guided unilateral locking plate combined with Jail screw technique has the advantages of high accuracy of screw placement, shorter operative duration, less intraoperative blood loss, satisfactory fracture reduction, favorable recovery of knee function and range of motion, and fewer postoperative complications in the treatment of double column tibial plateau fractures involving the posterolateral plateau.

Objective:To develop an air transfer stretcher for severely injured patients,so as to meet the requirements of severely injured patients for rapid transport of aviation medical treatment.Methods:The guide rails of hatch of mainstream civil airliner models were analyzed through investigation.Based on the principles of modularization,integration and intelligence,a highly universal and portable aviation stretcher with the functions of rapid transport and life support was designed and developed.The design of the stretcher was verified through simulation analysis and calculation,as well as tests in laboratory,which should meet the requirements of the standards from China Civil Aviation Regulations(CCAR)-25.Results:The results of simulation analysis and tests of laboratory showed that the aviation transport stretcher,and the strength and stiffness of its structure reached to requirement of CCAR-25 standard,which was suit to the portable aviation evacuation of severely injured patients on civil airliners,and the rapid transfer between air and ground.It has the function of supporting life,and the aviation transport stretcher with high universality and convenience can enhance the safety and rescue capability of aviation evacuation system of medical treatment of aviation.Conclusion:The portable aviation stretcher with high-versatility that was researched and developed by this study can effectively solve the problems of life support,injury monitoring,and emergently rescue and treatment during the transport for severely injured patients,which improve the support ability of air-ground transportation for severely injured patients.

OBJECTIVE To clarify the hearing improvement and tympanic membrane healing of tympanoplasty in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media in the stationary phase with soft tissue shadow of mastoid bulla on mastoid CT,and to compare its hearing improvement and tympanic membrane healing with that of canal wall up mastoidectomy+tympanoplasty.METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of inpatient surgical cases diagnosed with chronic suppurative otitis media in the stationary phase with soft tissue shadow of mastoid bulla by preoperative mastoid CT at the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University between September 2020 and April 2022.Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical procedure:Group A,tympanoplasty,including 23 cases of type Ⅰ tympanoplasty(A1)and 26 cases of type Ⅱ tympanoplasty with ossicular chain reconstruction(A2);Group B,canal wall up mastoidectomy+tympanoplasty,including 21 cases of canal wall up mastoidectomy with type Ⅰ tympanoplasty(B1)and 20 cases of canal wall up mastoidectomy with type Ⅱ tympanoplasty and ossicular chain reconstruction(B2).Each patient was followed up for one year postoperatively,and at approximately one year after the operation,otoscopy and pure-tone audiometry(PTA)and air-bone gap(ABG)measurements at four frequencies(500,1 000,2 000,and 4 000 Hz)were performed and compared to preoperative values.RESULTS The average PTA at 1 year postoperatively for group A(A1 and A2)and group B(B1 and B2)were(36.35±16.21)dB HL[(31.96±11.78)dB HL,(40.24±18.68)dB HL]and(35.85±12.19)dB HL[(40.24±18.68)dB HL,(39.69±13.69)dB HL],respectively.Compared with preoperative PTA,the difference was statistically significant with P<0.05.The average ABG at 1 year postoperatively for group A and group B were(16.07±6.69)dB HL[(15.16±5.48)dB HL,(16.88±7.63)dB HL]and(15.21±6.40)dB HL[(13.93±5.29)dB HL,(16.56±7.28)dB HL],respectively.Compared with preoperative ABG,the difference was statistically significant with P<0.05.There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative average PTA and ABG between group A and group B.There was no statistically significant difference in effective rate between group A and group B.The results of ear endoscopy at 1 year postoperatively showed that the tympanic membrane healed well in both group A and group B.CONCLUSION There is no significant difference in hearing improvement and tympanic membrane healing between the two surgical procedures of tympanoplasty and canal wall up mastoidectomy+tympanoplasty for patients with CSOM at rest with shadowing of the mastoid sinus on mastoid CT.In clinical work,patients with CSOM at rest who have soft tissue shadow in the mastoid sinus on mastoid CT can opt for simple tympanoplasty.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of virtual simulation-guided unilateral locking plate combined with Jail screw technique for double column tibial plateau fractures involving the posterolateral plateau.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 32 patients with double column tibial plateau fractures involving the posterolateral plateau admitted to Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Group Suqian Hospital from March 2018 to March 2022, including 20 males and 12 females, aged 37-69 years [(47.5±6.9)years]. According to AO/OTA classification, the fractures were classified as type 41B in 17 patients and type 41C in 15. According to the three-column classification, the fractures were classified as lateral column+posterior column in 17 patients and medial column+posterior column in 15. Virtual simulation technique was used to simulate surgical operation before surgery. After reduction, the patients′ tibial plateau mirror models of the healthy side were used to simulate the implantation of internal fixators on the affected side. The position data of the placed internal fixators were obtained to guide the personalized treatment with unilateral locking plate combined with Jail screw technique. The total number of Jail screws, average number of Jail screws, distribution and accuracy of screw placement, operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, and fracture healing status were recorded. The posterior tibial plateau angle (PTSA), proximal medial tibial angle (MPTA) and Rasmussen anatomical score were compared before operation, at 1, 3, 6, 12 months after operation and at the last follow-up. The Lysholm scores at 6, 12 months after operation and at the last follow-up were used to evaluate the knee function. At the last follow-up, the knee range of motion was measured. Postoperative complications were observed.Results:All the patients were followed up for 28-36 months [(30.7±2.3)months]. The total number of Jail screws inserted was 48, with an average of (1.5±0.5) screws. In the sagittal direction, 1-2 Jail screws were inserted in each patient, with an accuracy rate of 88% (42/48). The operative duration was 78-116 minutes [(98.7±10.5)minutes]. The intraoperative blood loss was 70-120 ml [(96.6±15.6)ml]. All the fractures had healing of stage I, with a healing time of 4-7 months [(5.4±0.9)months]. At 1, 3, 6, 12 months after operation and at last follow-up, the PTSA, MPTA, and Rasmussen anatomical scores were significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05), while there was no statistically significant difference between those at various postoperative time points ( P>0.05). The Lysholm knee scores were (83.6±3.9)points, (88.5±3.6)points, and (93.7±2.6)points at 6, 12 months after operation, and at the last follow-up, respectively, which were gradually increased with the passage of the follow-up time ( P<0.05). The range of motion was (121.4±4.6)° in flexion and was 0.0(0.0, 3.0)° in extension at the last follow-up. Two patients had superficial wound infection and 1 had wound dehiscence after operation, which recovered with dressing change or debridement and suturing. No deep infection, vascular injury or nerve damage occurred. Conclusions:The virtual simulation-guided unilateral locking plate combined with Jail screw technique has the advantages of high accuracy of screw placement, shorter operative duration, less intraoperative blood loss, satisfactory fracture reduction, favorable recovery of knee function and range of motion, and fewer postoperative complications in the treatment of double column tibial plateau fractures involving the posterolateral plateau.

Objective:To develop an air transfer stretcher for severely injured patients,so as to meet the requirements of severely injured patients for rapid transport of aviation medical treatment.Methods:The guide rails of hatch of mainstream civil airliner models were analyzed through investigation.Based on the principles of modularization,integration and intelligence,a highly universal and portable aviation stretcher with the functions of rapid transport and life support was designed and developed.The design of the stretcher was verified through simulation analysis and calculation,as well as tests in laboratory,which should meet the requirements of the standards from China Civil Aviation Regulations(CCAR)-25.Results:The results of simulation analysis and tests of laboratory showed that the aviation transport stretcher,and the strength and stiffness of its structure reached to requirement of CCAR-25 standard,which was suit to the portable aviation evacuation of severely injured patients on civil airliners,and the rapid transfer between air and ground.It has the function of supporting life,and the aviation transport stretcher with high universality and convenience can enhance the safety and rescue capability of aviation evacuation system of medical treatment of aviation.Conclusion:The portable aviation stretcher with high-versatility that was researched and developed by this study can effectively solve the problems of life support,injury monitoring,and emergently rescue and treatment during the transport for severely injured patients,which improve the support ability of air-ground transportation for severely injured patients.

A lightweight residual attention enhanced Unet(LRAE-Unet)is designed for the fully automatic brain tumor segmentation.LRAE-Unet uses lightweight residual module to solve the problems of gradient disappearance and network degradation when the network layers increases,lightweight self-attention module to suppress the irrelevant areas and highlight the significant features of specific local areas,and enhanced average pooling module with a larger field of perception to reduce the space of feature map,save computing resources and avoid over-fitting.The experiment on BraTS 2019 dataset shows that the proposed method has a Dice similarity coefficient of 91.24%,88.64%and 88.32%in the segmentations of the whole tumor,tumor core and enhanced tumor,which proves its feasibility and effectiveness for brain tumor segmentation.

Objective:To investigate the clinical outcome of endovascular treatment vs. drug treatment in patients with symptomatic non-acute long-segment occlusion of the internal carotid artery. Methods:Based on prospective cohort registration research data, patients with symptomatic non-acute long-segment occlusion of internal carotid artery were retrospectively included. They were divided into a drug treatment group and an endovascular treatment group according to the actual treatment received. The latter was further divided into a successful recanalization group and an unsuccessful recanalization group. The endpoint events included ipsilateral ischemic stroke, any stroke, and all-cause death. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to compare the endpoint events between groups during the perioprocedural period (within 30 days), and multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was use to compare the endpoint events between the groups during the long-term follow-up. Results:A total of 684 patients were included, of which 570 (83.33%) were male, median aged 63 years (interquartile range, 56-70 years). Three hundred and fifty-three patients (51.6%) received drug treatment; 331 (48.4%) received endovascular treatment, of which 161 (48.6%) had successful recanalization. The median follow-up time was 1 223 days (interquartile range, 646.5-2 082 days), with 109 patients (15.9%) experiencing stroke recurrence events (including 87 ipsilateral ischemic stroke) and 78 (11.4%) experiencing all-cause mortality. The risk of any stroke during the perioprocedural period in the successful recanalization group was significantly higher than that in the drug treatment group (odds ratio 3.679, 95% confidence interval 1.038-13.036; P=0.044), but the risk of ipsilateral ischemic stroke recurrence (risk ratio 0.347, 95% confidence interval 0.152-0.791; P=0.012) and all-cause mortality (risk ratio 0.239, 95% confidence interval 0.093-0.618; P=0.003) during the long-term follow-up were significantly lower than those in the drug treatment group. Conclusions:In patients with symptomatic non-acute long-segment occlusion of the internal carotid artery, endovascular treatment can increase the risk of stroke recurrence within 30 days, but successful recanalization can reduce the risks of long-term ipsilateral ischemic stroke recurrence and all-cause mortality.

Objective:To construct a comprehensive and targeted risk assessment index system for central venous catheter (CVC) dysfunction in patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) .Methods:The risk assessment indicators for CVC dysfunction in CRRT patients were determined based on literature review and Delphi expert consultation. From July to September 2023, 19 experts in hemodialysis were selected for expert consultation. Based on expert opinions and screening criteria, corresponding indicators were added, deleted, or modified. After the second round of consultation, the expert opinions tended to be consistent.Results:A total of 17 experts completed two rounds of consultation. In the two rounds of consultation, the effective response rates of the questionnaires were 89.5% (17/19) and 100.0% (19/19), respectively, and the expert authority coefficients were 0.87 and 0.88, respectively. The Kendall harmony coefficients were 0.131 and 0.138 ( P<0.05). The final risk assessment index system included seven primary indicators and 44 secondary indicators. Conclusions:The risk assessment index system for CVC dysfunction in CRRT patients constructed is scientific, reliable, and practical, which can provide reference for clinical medical and nursing staff to improve catheter risk management in CRRT patients.