OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the apical sealing properties of three endodontic sealers, namely, C-Root SP (C-R), iRoot SP, and GuttaFlow Bioseal (GFB) in vitro. METHODS: Eighty-two single-rooted premolars and anterior teeth were prepared by using M3 machine with nickel-titanium file and randomly divided into six experimental groups (n=12) and two control groups (n=5). Group A1: single-cone technique (SC)+C-R; group B1: SC+iRoot SP; group C1: SC+GFB; group A2: single-cone with ultrasonic activation (SU)+C-R; group B2: SU+iRoot SP; group C2: SU +GFB; group D: positive control group, and group E: negative control group. Dye penetration length and lateral root canal filling in each group were measured by dye penetration test. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the interface between gutta pertscha, root canal sealer, and dentin wall. Dye penetration length was measured and analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test, and data on lateral root canal filling were evaluated using Chi-square. RESULTS: The dye penetration length in group A1 was lower than that in groups C1 and A2 (P<0.05) but was not significantly different from the other groups (P>0.05). Lateral root canal filling was not significantly different among all groups (P>0.05). SEM showed that GFB was slightly better than C-R and iRoot SP in binding to gutta pertcha and dentin wall. CONCLUSIONS GFB, C-R, and iRoot SP demonstrate excellent apical sealing ability. Under the conditions tested in this study, SU did not yield significantly improve the apical sealing ability of the three root canal sealers.
Root Canal Filling Materials/chemistry* ; Humans ; Gutta-Percha ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Root Canal Obturation/methods* ; Ceramics ; Dimethylpolysiloxanes ; Drug Combinations

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the filling effects of three biomaterial root canal sealers [iRoot SP, C-Root SP, and GuttaFlow Bioseal (GFB)] by using Micro-CT. METHODS: Sixty single-canal detached premolars were selected. After crown amputation, their uniform working length was set at 12 mm and prepared to a 06 taper 30# with M3 nickel-titanium file. The samples were randomly divided into six groups with different sealers and obturation techniques: iRoot SP+single-cone technique (SC), C-Root SP+SC, GFB+SC, iRoot SP+single cone-mediated ultrasonic technique (SU), C-Root SP+SU, and GFB+SU. Samples were scanned by Micro-CT, and the total and segmented filling rates were calculated with Mimics 22.0 software after 3D reconstruction. RESULTS: The overall filling rate of the three biomaterial root canal sealers was higher than 90%. The overall and coronal third and middle third segment filling rate of groups iRoot SP+SC, C-Root SP+SC was higher than that of group GFB+SC (P<0.01), with no significant difference between groups iRoot SP+SC and C-Root SP+SC (P>0.05). On the apical third, no significant difference was found among each group (P>0.05). The overall and segment filling rate of groups iRoot SP+SU and C-Root SP+SU was higher than that of GFB+SU (P<0.01), with no significant difference between groups iRoot SP+SU and C-Root SP+SU (P>0.05). The filling rate of the apical 1/3 of group C-Root+SC was lower than that of group C-Root+SU (P<0.01), and the filling rate of the coronal 1/3 of group GFB+SC was higher than that in the GFB+SU (P<0.01). Nevertheless, no significant difference was found in other filling rate of two obturation techniques (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The overall filling rate of the three biomaterial root canal sealers using SC and SU are satisfactory. iRoot SP and C-Root SP have similar filling rates, which are significantly higher than that of GFB. C-Root SP combined with SU technique can improve the filling quality of the root apical.
Root Canal Filling Materials ; X-Ray Microtomography ; Humans ; Root Canal Obturation/methods* ; Gutta-Percha ; Dimethylpolysiloxanes ; Drug Combinations ; Dental Pulp Cavity/diagnostic imaging* ; Bicuspid

To analyze the factors affecting the cost of hospitalization for patients and provide insights using the intrauterine lesion surgery group (DRG code NE19) as an example.

Extracellular polymeric substances(EPS)constitutes crucial elements within bacterial biofilms,facili-tating accelerated antimicrobial resistance and conferring defense against the host's immune cells.Developing precise and effective antibiofilm approaches and strategies,tailored to the specific charac-teristics of EPS composition,can offer valuable insights for the creation of novel antimicrobial drugs.This,in turn,holds the potential to mitigate the alarming issue of bacterial drug resistance.Current analysis of EPS compositions relies heavily on colorimetric approaches with a significant bias,which is likely due to the selection of a standard compound and the cross-interference of various EPS compounds.Considering the pivotal role of EPS in biofilm functionality,it is imperative for EPS research to delve deeper into the analysis of intricate compositions,moving beyond the current focus on polymeric materials.This ne-cessitates a shift from heavy reliance on colorimetric analytic methods to more comprehensive and nuanced analytical approaches.In this study,we have provided a comprehensive summary of existing analytical methods utilized in the characterization of EPS compositions.Additionally,novel strategies aimed at targeting EPS to enhance biofilm penetration were explored,with a specific focus on high-lighting the limitations associated with colorimetric methods.Furthermore,we have outlined the challenges faced in identifying additional components of EPS and propose a prospective research plan to address these challenges.This review has the potential to guide future researchers in the search for novel compounds capable of suppressing EPS,thereby inhibiting biofilm formation.This insight opens up a new avenue for exploration within this research domain.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics and outcomes of type 2 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and compare with type 1 AIP.Methods:Clinical data of the patients diagnosed with type 2 AIP by the International Consensus on diagnostic criteria of AIP at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2001 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and type 1 AIP patients diagnosed in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 1985 to December 2016 were collected as controls. The clinical symptoms, treatments and follow-ups were analyzed.Results:A total of 25 patients with type 2 AIP were included, of which 16 cases (64.0%) were pathologically confirmed cases (13 cases by endoscopic ultrasound puncture, 2 cases by surgery, and 1 case by interventional puncture), and 9 cases (36.0%) were suspected. The average age of onset was 40 years old. Most patients ( n=23, 92.0%) had abdominal pain along with emaciation to a various degree. Among them, 3 cases primarily presented as acute pancreatitis. Two cases were diagnosed after surgery for pancreatic masses. Eighteen cases were complicated with inflammatory bowel disease, including 16 cases with ulcerative colitis, one case with Crohn's disease, and one case with indeterminate colitis. All patients had typical imaging manifestations, including 13 cases (52.0%) with diffuse pancreatic enlargement, 12 cases (48.0%) with focal or multifocal pancreatic lesions, and 5 cases (20.0%) with simultaneous focal pancreatic masses and diffuse enlargement. All patients had normal serum IgG4 levels, anti-neutropil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) positivity rate was 35.3% (6/17), and anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) positivity rate was 29.2% (7/24). Two surgical patients recovered well after surgery, and the other patients all achieved clinical and imaging relief after hormone therapy, and no recurrence was seen during follow-up. Compared with type 1 AIP, type 2 AIP had younger onset age, main manifestation as abdominal pain without jaundice, rare involvement with extra-pancreatic organs, the lesions mainly located in the intestine and normal IgG4 level with statistically significant differences. The recurrence rate of type 2 AIP was lower than that of type 1 AIP (0 vs 16%). Conclusions:Type 2 AIP has different clinical characteristics from type 1 AIP. Due to the lack of specific serum markers, the diagnosis is more difficult. It responds well to glucocorticoids and has a low recurrence rate.

Objective:To analyze clinical characteristics of primary pancreatic lymphoma (PPL) patients.Methods:Clinical features of 22 patients diagnosed as PPL admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2002 to May 2023 were analyzed retrospectively.Results:The median age was 56.4±13.3 years. The median time from onset to diagnosis was 1.0 (1.0, 3.0) months. The main clinical manifestations were abdominal pain (15/22), weight loss (14/22) and jaundice (10/22). Elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was observed in 15/20 (75%) patients. Only 2 (2/9, 22.2%) patients had increased CA199 levels and 2 (2/9, 22.2%) patients had increased CEA levels. The maximum tumor diameter was 5.0 (3.8, 6.9) cm. Contrast-enhanced CT mostly showed low enhancement lesions. Major pancreatic duct dilatation were rare on CT scan (4/20). Fifteen patients were confirmed by pancreatic pathology, of which 8 were obtained by surgery, 4 were obtained by CT or ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsy, and 3 were obtained by EUS-FNA. The main pathological type was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (14/22). 19 patients received chemotherapy, and 6 patients died with a median follow-up of 5.0 (1.5, 35.5) months.Conclusions:PPL is rare and easy to be misdiagnosed. Elevated LDH levels, normal tumor markers, and non-dilatation of main pancreatic duct are important diagnostic clues. It is important to obtain pathology by EUS-FNA and other methods for definite diagnosis.

Objective:To investigate the iodine nutritional status of children and the consumption condition of non-iodized salt in Henan Province after implementation of the new standard of "Definition and demarcation of water-borne iodine-excess areas and iodine-excess endemial areas" (GB/T 19380-2016, hereinafter referred to as new standard) for four years (2021), and to provide a basis for scientific adjustment of intervention strategies.Methods:In 2021, according to the requirements of the new standard and based on the results of the water iodine survey in Henan Province from 2017 to 2020, a survey was conducted on the iodine nutrition status of children in water-borne high iodine areas in 47 counties (cities, districts, hereinafter referred to as counties) with high iodine administrative village (neighborhood committee, hereinafter referred to as administrative village). In each county, 5 administrative villages with median water iodine > 100 μg/L were selected as the investigation villages, and water samples were collected to determine the water iodine value. Forty non-boarding students aged 8 - 10 (age balanced, half male and half female, age increased to 6 - 12 when less than 40) were selected from each village as investigation subjects. Salt samples from their homes and urine samples were collected to detect salt iodine and urine iodine content, and thyroid volume of children was measured. And the monitoring results of areas where the supply of iodized salt had been suspended for less than 4 years (in newly high iodine areas) and more than 10 years (in previously high iodine areas) were further compared and analyzed.Results:A total of 257 administrative villages in the province were monitored, and the range of water iodine was 1.6 - 609.5 μg/L, with a median of 132.5 μg/L. A total of 8 611 children were tested for salt iodine, urine iodine and thyroid volume. The non-iodized salt rate was 58.3% (5 017/8 611), and the median urine iodine was 342.2 μg/L, thyroid enlargement rate was 2.9% (250/8 611). The median water iodine (153.0 vs 118.4 μg/L), the median urine iodine in children (371.6 vs 287.7 μg/L) and the goiter rate [3.8% (211/5 537) vs 1.3% (39/3 074)] in the newly high iodine areas were higher than those in the previously high iodine areas, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z = 583.12, - 14.09, P < 0.001; χ 2 = 44.40, P < 0.001); the non-iodized salt rate was lower than that of the previously high iodine areas [37.2% (2 057/5 537) vs 96.3% (2 960/3 074)], and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 2 841.37, P < 0.001). Conclusions:The iodine nutrition level of children in water-borne high iodine areas of Henan Province in 2021 is at an excess level, but the non-iodized salt rate in residential households is low. We should make every effort to ensure the precise supply of non-iodized salt in high iodine areas after implementation of the new standard, and strengthen iodine nutrition monitoring and health education for key populations to prevent the occurrence of high iodine hazards.

Objective:To investigate the iodine nutritional status of key populations in iodine adequate areas in Henan Province, and provide a basis for timely adoption of targeted prevention and control measures and scientific formulation of iodine supplementation strategies in iodine adequate areas.Methods:From March to September 2022, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in 60 iodine adequate counties (cities, districts) in 13 provincial-level cities in Henan Province. Administrative villages with a median water iodine level of 40 - 100 μg/L within each county (city, district) were stratified by water iodine value (40 - 49, 50 - 59, 60 - 69, 70 - 79, 80 - 89, 90 - 100 μg/L). One administrative village was selected from each water iodine layer, and 40 non boarding students aged 8 - 10 years old (age balanced, half male and half female) and 20 pregnant women were selected from each administrative village to collect their household edible salt samples and once random urine sample for test salt iodine and urinary iodine contents; and the thyroid volume of children was measured.Results:A total of 12 203 samples of household edible salt were collected from children aged 8 - 10 years old, with a median salt iodine of 24.5 mg/kg, the iodized salt coverage rate was 85.3% (10 414/12 203), and the qualified iodized salt consumption rate was 77.1% (9 406/12 203). A total of 3 999 samples of household edible salt were collected from pregnant women, with a median salt iodine of 24.0 mg/kg, the iodized salt coverage rate was 84.2% (3 366/3 999), and the qualified iodized salt consumption rate was 74.5% (2 981/3 999). A total of 12 241 urine samples from children aged 8 - 10 years old were collected, with a median urinary iodine of 290.4 μg/L. A total of 4 084 urine samples from pregnant women were collectedd, with a median urinary iodine of 233.0 μg/L. The thyroid volume of 11 971 children was examined, and the rate of goiter was 2.1% (257/11 971). Stratified by water iodine content, the median urinary iodine levels of children in 40 - 59, 60 - 79, and 80 - 100 μg/L water iodine groups were 269.7, 298.0 and 308.0 μg/L, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between the groups ( H = 67.32, P < 0.001). The goiter rates of children were 2.2% (100/4 603), 2.1% (80/3 733), 2.1% (77/3 635), respectively, with no statistically significant difference between the groups (χ 2 = 0.03, P = 0.986). The median urinary iodine levels of pregnant women were 225.4, 243.1, 234.4 μg/L, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between the groups ( H = 10.96, P = 0.004). Conclusions:The iodine nutrition level of children in iodine adequate areas in Henan Province is at an excessively suitable level, and pregnant women's iodine nutrition is at an appropriate level. It is recommended to strengthen surveillance on the basis of maintaining current prevention and control measures, and adjust prevention and control measures in a timely manner according to changes in iodine nutrition in the population.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of FibroScan combined with various noninvasive diagnostic models for liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) complicated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and to establish a new predictive model with common clinical indicators.Methods:From January 2016 to May 2024, the clinical data of 118 CHB patients complicated with NAFLD from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, who underwent liver biopsy and FibroScan examination were respectively analyzed. According to the Scheuer scoring system, different diagnostic endpoints were set based on the degree of liver fibrosis (S0 to S1, ≥S2, ≥S3, and S4), fibrosis stage ≥S2 was designated as the criterion for significant liver fibrosis. Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) to platelet ratio (GPR), GGT-age-platelet-international normalized ratio (GAPI) model, S index, King index and Forns index were calculated according to the common clinical indicators. The independent t test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the two groups. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlation between each noninvasive diagnostic method and the degree of liver fibrosis. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted, and the DeLong test was performed to compare the area under the curve (AUC), and to evaluate the predictive value of FibroScan combined with various noninvasive diagnostic models for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis. The laboratory indicators were compared between patients with non-significant liver fibrosis and patients with significant liver fibrosis. And the indicators with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05) in the univariate analysis were further analyzed by multivariate logistic regression to establish a new predictive model for liver fibrosis. Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to assess the model′s goodness of fit. Results:The results of Spearman rank correlation showed that FIB-4, GPR, FibroScan, GAPI model, S index, King index, and Forns index were positively correlated with the stage of liver fibrosis ( r=0.413, 0.458, 0.512, 0.473, 0.533, 0.380 and 0.478, all P<0.001). The results of ROC analysis indicated that among combination of FibroScan and other diagnostic models, the AUC values of FibroScan+ FIB-4, FibroScan+ Forns index were relatively high in ≥S2 and ≥S3, which were 0.804 and 0.907, respectively. The platelet count ((200.65±50.89)×10 9/L vs. (169.96±63.68)×10 9/L), total cholesterol ((4.69±0.77) mmol/L vs. (4.32±1.00) mmol/L), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (1.28 (1.05, 1.46) mmol/L vs. 1.08 (0.92, 1.21) mmol/L), total protein (74.00 (70.63, 77.08) g/L vs. 68.80 (64.60, 73.55) g/L), albumin (47.06 (44.65, 48.81) g/L vs. 44.70 (41.55, 46.20) g/L), and globulin (26.80 (24.48, 29.70) g/L vs. 25.80 (23.05, 27.60) g/L) of the non-significant liver fibrosis group were higher than those of the significant liver fibrosis group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.74, 2.09; Z=-3.30, -3.88, -3.95, -2.01; P=0.007, =0.040, =0.001, <0.001, <0.001, =0.044). GGT (27.50 (17.00, 41.75) U/L vs. 37.00 (22.50, 87.00) U/L), the liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in the non-significant hepatic fibrosis group was lower than the significant liver fibrosis group (6.85 (5.60, 9.26) kPa vs. 11.60 (7.08, 17.26) kPa), and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-2.73, -4.39; P=0.006, <0.001). The result of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that globulin, albumin, HDL, and LSM were independent factors of liver fibrosis ( OR (95% confidence interval)=0.865 (0.759 to 0.985), 0.804 (0.691 to 0.935), 0.128 (0.023 to 0.711), and 1.251 (1.091 to 1.433), respectively; P=0.029, 0.025, 0.019, 0.001). A novel model, GLAH, was established with globulin, LSM, albumin, and HDL. The AUC for diagnosing liver fibrosis degree ≥S2, ≥S3, and S4 was 0.847, 0.938, and 0.909, respectively, which were higher than those of the above models. The positive predictive value for diagnosing liver fibrosis degree ≥S2 with GLAH>1.12 as the cutoff value was 95.8%. The negative predictive value for excluding fibrosis stage ≥S2 with GLAH<-1.41 was 92.3%. This approach could reduce the number of liver biopsies by 48.3% (57/118), with an accuracy of 94.7% (54/57). Conclusions:The clinical value of FibroScan combined with FIB-4 or Forns index is better in the diagnisis of fibrosis stage ≥S2 and ≥S3. The GLAH model has higher diagnostic value and can accurately predict the degree of liver fibrosis in CHB patients complicated with NAFLD, thus reducing the need for liver biopsy.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of FibroScan combined with various noninvasive diagnostic models for liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) complicated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and to establish a new predictive model with common clinical indicators.Methods:From January 2016 to May 2024, the clinical data of 118 CHB patients complicated with NAFLD from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, who underwent liver biopsy and FibroScan examination were respectively analyzed. According to the Scheuer scoring system, different diagnostic endpoints were set based on the degree of liver fibrosis (S0 to S1, ≥S2, ≥S3, and S4), fibrosis stage ≥S2 was designated as the criterion for significant liver fibrosis. Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) to platelet ratio (GPR), GGT-age-platelet-international normalized ratio (GAPI) model, S index, King index and Forns index were calculated according to the common clinical indicators. The independent t test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the two groups. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlation between each noninvasive diagnostic method and the degree of liver fibrosis. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted, and the DeLong test was performed to compare the area under the curve (AUC), and to evaluate the predictive value of FibroScan combined with various noninvasive diagnostic models for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis. The laboratory indicators were compared between patients with non-significant liver fibrosis and patients with significant liver fibrosis. And the indicators with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05) in the univariate analysis were further analyzed by multivariate logistic regression to establish a new predictive model for liver fibrosis. Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to assess the model′s goodness of fit. Results:The results of Spearman rank correlation showed that FIB-4, GPR, FibroScan, GAPI model, S index, King index, and Forns index were positively correlated with the stage of liver fibrosis ( r=0.413, 0.458, 0.512, 0.473, 0.533, 0.380 and 0.478, all P<0.001). The results of ROC analysis indicated that among combination of FibroScan and other diagnostic models, the AUC values of FibroScan+ FIB-4, FibroScan+ Forns index were relatively high in ≥S2 and ≥S3, which were 0.804 and 0.907, respectively. The platelet count ((200.65±50.89)×10 9/L vs. (169.96±63.68)×10 9/L), total cholesterol ((4.69±0.77) mmol/L vs. (4.32±1.00) mmol/L), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (1.28 (1.05, 1.46) mmol/L vs. 1.08 (0.92, 1.21) mmol/L), total protein (74.00 (70.63, 77.08) g/L vs. 68.80 (64.60, 73.55) g/L), albumin (47.06 (44.65, 48.81) g/L vs. 44.70 (41.55, 46.20) g/L), and globulin (26.80 (24.48, 29.70) g/L vs. 25.80 (23.05, 27.60) g/L) of the non-significant liver fibrosis group were higher than those of the significant liver fibrosis group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.74, 2.09; Z=-3.30, -3.88, -3.95, -2.01; P=0.007, =0.040, =0.001, <0.001, <0.001, =0.044). GGT (27.50 (17.00, 41.75) U/L vs. 37.00 (22.50, 87.00) U/L), the liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in the non-significant hepatic fibrosis group was lower than the significant liver fibrosis group (6.85 (5.60, 9.26) kPa vs. 11.60 (7.08, 17.26) kPa), and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-2.73, -4.39; P=0.006, <0.001). The result of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that globulin, albumin, HDL, and LSM were independent factors of liver fibrosis ( OR (95% confidence interval)=0.865 (0.759 to 0.985), 0.804 (0.691 to 0.935), 0.128 (0.023 to 0.711), and 1.251 (1.091 to 1.433), respectively; P=0.029, 0.025, 0.019, 0.001). A novel model, GLAH, was established with globulin, LSM, albumin, and HDL. The AUC for diagnosing liver fibrosis degree ≥S2, ≥S3, and S4 was 0.847, 0.938, and 0.909, respectively, which were higher than those of the above models. The positive predictive value for diagnosing liver fibrosis degree ≥S2 with GLAH>1.12 as the cutoff value was 95.8%. The negative predictive value for excluding fibrosis stage ≥S2 with GLAH<-1.41 was 92.3%. This approach could reduce the number of liver biopsies by 48.3% (57/118), with an accuracy of 94.7% (54/57). Conclusions:The clinical value of FibroScan combined with FIB-4 or Forns index is better in the diagnisis of fibrosis stage ≥S2 and ≥S3. The GLAH model has higher diagnostic value and can accurately predict the degree of liver fibrosis in CHB patients complicated with NAFLD, thus reducing the need for liver biopsy.