Objective To compare the efficacy of alkaline enzyme-containing versus multi-enzyme cleaner for pre-cleaning dental zinc phosphate cement fillers.Methods One hundred new dental cement fillers were selected and contaminated to moderate-to-heavy levels by simulating clinical contamination,and divided into the alkaline enzyme-containing group and the multi-enzyme group,with 50 cases in each group.The two groups underwent manual brushing followed by automated spray-type washer-disinfector cleaning.The effica-cy of the two groups of pre-cleaning were evaluated by naked-eye visual detection,10×illuminated magnifica-tion and residual protein quantification.Results The alkaline enzyme-containing group demonstrated signifi-cantly higher pass rates than the multi-enzyme group by naked-eye visual detection and 10×illuminated mag-nification(P<0.05),while there was no statistically significant difference in the residual protein quantifica-tion between the two groups(P>0.05).The qualified cleaning rates of the three parts of the instruments in the alkaline enzyme-containing group were all higher than those in the multi-enzyme group,but only the quali-fied cleaning rate of the handle threaded surface was statistically significant(P<0.05).There was no statisti-cally significant difference in the cleaning qualification rates of the instruments three parts of the alkaline en-zyme-containing group(P>0.05),while there was statistically significant difference in the cleaning qualifica-tion rates of the instruments three parts of the multi-enzyme group(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with the multi-enzyme cleaner,alkaline enzyme-containing cleaner has better effects in the pre-cleaning of zinc phosphate cement fillers.

BACKGROUND:Non-traumatic necrosis of the femoral head is a difficult joint disease,and preserving one's own femoral head is of great significance for young patients.Currently,there is a lack of regular and unified functional exercise plans.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of hip abductor muscle exercise on the three-dimensional gait and collapse rate of patients with non-traumatic femoral head necrosis,and to provide theoretical basis for effective rehabilitation of patients with non-traumatic femoral head necrosis.METHODS:Totally 81 non-traumatic and non-surgical patients with femoral head necrosis(81 hips)admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from June 2020 to June 2022 were included.Patients were randomly divided into a control group(n=40)and a hip abductor muscle exercise group(n=41).The control group received routine physical therapy and medication treatment.The hip abductor muscle exercise group underwent hip abductor muscle exercise on the basis of the control group.The gait status(hip joint range of motion,step length difference,and ground contact time difference)of two groups of patients was evaluated using the Tecnobody balance assessment system before and 12 weeks after treatment.The BIODEX-S4 isokinetic muscle strength testing system was used to test the peak force distance of hip abduction isokinetic muscle strength.Gluteus medius width ratio was compared between two groups.The collapse rate was compared between two groups of patients 1 year after treatment.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no statistically significant difference between the hip abductor muscle exercise group and the control group in terms of age,gender,side profile,body mass index,and etiology(P＞0.05).(2)Before treatment,there was no significant statistical difference in the range of motion of the affected hip joint between the two groups(P＞0.05).After treatment,the range of motion of the affected hip joint in both groups improved compared to before treatment(P＜0.05),and the range of motion of the affected hip joint in the hip abductor muscle exercise group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).(3)Before treatment,there was no significant statistical difference in the step length and touchdown time between the two groups(P＞0.05).12 weeks after treatment,the difference in step length and touchdown time between the two groups decreased compared to before treatment(P＜0.05),and the difference in step length and touchdown time between the hip abductor muscle exercise group after treatment was significantly greater than that of the control group(P＜0.05).(4)Before treatment,there was no significant statistical difference in gluteus medius width ratio between the two groups(P＞0.05).12 weeks after treatment,the gluteus medius width ratio of both groups increased compared to that before treatment(P＜0.05),and the gluteus medius width ratio of the hip abductor muscle exercise group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P＜0.05).(5)At 1 year after treatment,the comparison of femoral head collapse rates between the two groups showed significant statistical significance(P＜0.05),and that in the hip abductor muscle exercise group(22％)was significantly lower than that in the control group(45％).(6)It is concluded that exercise of the hip abductor muscle effectively enhances hip joint function,improves gait,and reduces the rate of femoral head collapse in patients with non-traumatic femoral head necrosis.It is recommended to use hip abductor muscle exercise as one of the basic methods for hip preservation in non-traumatic femoral head necrosis.

BACKGROUND:Non-traumatic necrosis of the femoral head is a difficult joint disease,and preserving one's own femoral head is of great significance for young patients.Currently,there is a lack of regular and unified functional exercise plans.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of hip abductor muscle exercise on the three-dimensional gait and collapse rate of patients with non-traumatic femoral head necrosis,and to provide theoretical basis for effective rehabilitation of patients with non-traumatic femoral head necrosis.METHODS:Totally 81 non-traumatic and non-surgical patients with femoral head necrosis(81 hips)admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from June 2020 to June 2022 were included.Patients were randomly divided into a control group(n=40)and a hip abductor muscle exercise group(n=41).The control group received routine physical therapy and medication treatment.The hip abductor muscle exercise group underwent hip abductor muscle exercise on the basis of the control group.The gait status(hip joint range of motion,step length difference,and ground contact time difference)of two groups of patients was evaluated using the Tecnobody balance assessment system before and 12 weeks after treatment.The BIODEX-S4 isokinetic muscle strength testing system was used to test the peak force distance of hip abduction isokinetic muscle strength.Gluteus medius width ratio was compared between two groups.The collapse rate was compared between two groups of patients 1 year after treatment.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no statistically significant difference between the hip abductor muscle exercise group and the control group in terms of age,gender,side profile,body mass index,and etiology(P＞0.05).(2)Before treatment,there was no significant statistical difference in the range of motion of the affected hip joint between the two groups(P＞0.05).After treatment,the range of motion of the affected hip joint in both groups improved compared to before treatment(P＜0.05),and the range of motion of the affected hip joint in the hip abductor muscle exercise group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).(3)Before treatment,there was no significant statistical difference in the step length and touchdown time between the two groups(P＞0.05).12 weeks after treatment,the difference in step length and touchdown time between the two groups decreased compared to before treatment(P＜0.05),and the difference in step length and touchdown time between the hip abductor muscle exercise group after treatment was significantly greater than that of the control group(P＜0.05).(4)Before treatment,there was no significant statistical difference in gluteus medius width ratio between the two groups(P＞0.05).12 weeks after treatment,the gluteus medius width ratio of both groups increased compared to that before treatment(P＜0.05),and the gluteus medius width ratio of the hip abductor muscle exercise group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P＜0.05).(5)At 1 year after treatment,the comparison of femoral head collapse rates between the two groups showed significant statistical significance(P＜0.05),and that in the hip abductor muscle exercise group(22％)was significantly lower than that in the control group(45％).(6)It is concluded that exercise of the hip abductor muscle effectively enhances hip joint function,improves gait,and reduces the rate of femoral head collapse in patients with non-traumatic femoral head necrosis.It is recommended to use hip abductor muscle exercise as one of the basic methods for hip preservation in non-traumatic femoral head necrosis.

Objective:To combine ultrasound and clinical characteristics for predicting the treatment time of strontium 90( 90Sr) radioisotope applicator therapy for pathological scars when the therapeutic effect meets the clinical effective criteria. Methods:From September 2022 to October 2023, 48 patients (90 lesions) with pathological scars who underwent 90Sr radioisotope applicator therapy at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University were prospectively collected. The clinically effective criteria of 90Sr radioisotope applicator therapy for pathological scars were defined as a reduction of the superficial height of the scar higher than 50%. All lesions were divided into short period treatment group (2 months, 38 lesions) and long period treatment group (>2 months, 52 lesions) according to the duration of treatment when the therapeutic effect met the clinical criteria. Univariate comparative analyses of ultrasound and clinical characteristics between the two groups were performed. The statistically significant variates were used to build a multivariate logistic regression model for analyzing the independent predictors of the treatment time of 90Sr radioisotope applicator therapy for pathological scars. Results:Family history, blood flow signal, disease duration, age, and scar Young′s modulus were independent predictors of the effective treatment time of 90Sr radioisotope applicator therapy for pathological scars (all P<0.05). By using the selected variables, a predictive model was developed, area under the ROC curve (AUC) were 0.886 (95% CI=0.817-0.955, P<0.001), and the calibration curve showed that the model was well calibrated(χ 2=5.668, P=0.684). Conclusions:The multivariate logistic regression model with family history, blood flow signal, disease duration, age, and scar Young′s modulus could be used to predict the treatment time of 90Sr radioisotope applicator therapy for pathologic scars, which can help to guide the design of treatment plan, reduce unnecessary radiation damage, and improve patient compliance.

BACKGROUND:The gluteus medius not only abducts the hip joint,but also plays an important role in limiting the external movement of the femoral head.At present,there is a lack of research on the correlation between gluteus medius status and non-traumatic femoral head necrosis. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between the gluteus medius width ratio and the medial space ratio of the hip joint and the progression of non-traumatic femoral head necrosis,and to explore the effect of gluteus medius atrophy on the surface and necrotic zone stress of the femoral head necrosis through finite element analysis. METHODS:Retrospective analysis of unilateral non-traumatic femoral head necrosis patients admitted to Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine was performed.All patients were followed up for an average of more than 2 years.They were divided into a collapsed group and a non-collapsed group based on whether there was collapse of the femoral head during the follow-up.Medial space ratio,gluteus medius width ratio,Sharp angle,gluteus medius length ratio,and gluteus medius activation angle were measured and calculated.The differences in these indicators were compared between the two groups.At the first visit and follow-up at 3,6,12,and 24 months,the medial space ratio and gluteus medius width ratio were measured and calculated to explore the changes of these two indicators in the course of non-traumatic femoral head necrosis.In addition,using three-dimensional finite element analysis,a Japanese Investigation Committee classification C1 type femoral head necrosis model was constructed based on CT data.At the same time,based on MRI data,a model of the gluteus medius muscle was constructed and divided into a gluteus medius muscle atrophy group(gluteus medius width ratio:74%-76%)and a gluteus medius muscle normal group(gluteus medius width ratio:94%-96%).Each group constructed 10 models,with 6 degrees of freedom of the distal femur constrained to zero.600 N pressures were applied along the Z-axis to the upper surface of the sacrum.The stress distribution,maximum stress values on the surface and necrotic area of the femoral head,and the maximum displacement of the necrotic area were compared between two groups of models. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)A total of 153 patients(67 males and 86 females)with 153 hips were included in this study.(2)At the 24-hour follow-up,the medial space ratio of the collapsed group was significantly higher than that of the non-collapsed group(P<0.05).The gluteus medius width ratio of the collapsed group was significantly lower than that of the non-collapsed group(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in Sharp angle,gluteus medius activation angle,and gluteus medius length ratio between the two groups(P>0.05).(3)Since the follow-up time exceeded 3 months,the gluteus medius width ratio of the collapsed group was lower than that of the non-collapsed group(P<0.05).Since the follow-up time exceeded 12 months,the medial space ratio of the collapsed group was higher than that of the non-collapsed group(P<0.05).(4)Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between follow-up time and medial space ratio in the collapsed group(P<0.05),and a significant negative correlation between follow-up time and gluteus medius width ratio(P<0.05).The regression coefficient of gluteus medius width ratio was larger than that of medial space ratio.(5)The group with middle gluteal muscle atrophy showed significant stress concentration on the surface of the femoral head,and the stress zone was significantly located on the outside.The maximum stress on the surface of the femoral head in the group with middle gluteal muscle atrophy was significantly greater than that in the group with normal middle gluteal muscle(P<0.05).There was significant stress concentration in the necrotic area of the middle gluteal muscle atrophy group,and the maximum stress was located at the edge of the necrotic area.The maximum stress and maximum displacement in the necrotic area of the middle gluteal muscle atrophy group were significantly greater than those of the normal group(P<0.05).(6)It is indicated that gluteus medius width ratio is an effective indicator for evaluating changes in gluteal muscle atrophy.In the progression of non-traumatic femoral head necrosis,atrophy of the gluteus medius muscle first occurs,followed by widening of the medial hip joint space.The mechanical mechanism may be that the atrophy of the gluteus medius muscle affects the stability of the hip joint,leading to external displacement of the femoral head,and increasing stress and displacement on the surface and necrotic area of the femoral head.

OBJECTIVES: Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) is a Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen that often causes hospital infections. With the abuse of antibiotics, the resistance of S. epidermidis gradually increases, and drug repurposing has become a research hotspot in the treating of refractory drug-resistant bacterial infections. This study aims to study the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of simeprevir, an antiviral hepatitis drug, on S. epidermidis in vitro. METHODS: The micro-dilution assay was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of simeprevir against S. epidermidis. Crystal violet staining assay was used to detect the biofilm inhibitory effect of simeprevir. The antimicrobial activity of simeprevir against S. epidermidis and its biofilm were explored by SYTO9/PI fluorescent staining. The combined effect between simeprevir and gentamycin was assessed by checkerboard assay and was confirmed by time-inhibition assay. RESULTS: Simeprevir showed significant antimicrobial effects against S. epidermidis type strains and clinical isolates with the MIC and MBC at 2-16 μg/mL and 4-32 μg/mL, respectively. The antimicrobial effects of simeprevir were confirmed by SYTO9/PI staining. Simeprevir at MIC could significantly inhibit and break the biofilm on cover slides. Similarly, simeprevir also significantly inhibit the biofilm formation on the surface of urine catheters either in TSB [from (0.700±0.020) to (0.050±0.004)] (t=54.03, P<0.001), or horse serum [from (1.00±0.02) to (0.13±0.01)] (t=82.78, P<0.001). Synergistic antimicrobial effect was found between simeprevir and gentamycin against S. epidermidis with the fractional inhibitory concentration index of 0.5. CONCLUSIONS Simeprevir shows antimicrobial effect and anti-biofilm activities against S. epidermidis.
Humans ; Simeprevir ; Antiviral Agents ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Cross Infection ; Gentamicins

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of osthole on the expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) cell model and its mechanism. METHODS: The SH-SY5Y cell with over expression of APP was established by transfection by liposome 2000. The cells were treated with different concentrations of osthole, and the cell viability was determined by MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. The differentially expressed miRNAs with and without osthole treatment were detected by miRNA array, and the target genes binding to the differentially expressed miRNAs were identified and verified by databases and Cytoscape. After the inhibitor of the differentially expressed miRNA was transduced into cells, the changes of APP and amyloid β (Aβ) protein were determined by immunofluorescence cytochemistry, and the mRNA expression of APP was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The AD cell model with over expression of APP was established successfully. The results of MTT and LDH assay showed that osthole had a protective effect on cells and alleviated cell damage. miR-101a-3p was identified as the differentially expressed miRNA, which was binding to the 3'-UTR of APP. Compared with APP group, the expression of APP and Aβ protein and APP mRNA increased in the miR-101a-3p inhibitor group (all <0.01), while the expression of APP and Aβ protein and APP mRNA decreased in the cells with osthole treatment (all <0.01). CONCLUSIONS Osthole inhibits the expression of APP by up-regulating miR-101a-3p in AD cell model.
Alzheimer Disease ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor ; genetics ; Cell Line ; Coumarins ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; genetics ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism