Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Anthocyanidin reductase (ANR) is one of the key enzyme in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway, and its catalytic activity is important for the synthesis of plant anthocyanin. In this study, specific primers were designed according to the transcriptome data of Lonicera japonica Thunb., and the CDS, gDNA and promoter sequences of ANR genes from Lonicera japonica Thunb. and Lonicera japonica Thunb. var. chinensis (Wats.) Bak. were cloned. The results showed that the CDS sequences of LjANR and rLjANR were 1 002 bp, the gDNA sequences were 2 017 and 2 026 bp respectively, and the promoter sequences were 1 170 and 1 164 bp respectively. LjANR and rLjANR both contain 6 exons and 5 introns, which have the same length of exons and large differences in introns. The promoter sequences both contain a large number of light response, hormone response and abiotic stress response elements. Bioinformatics analysis showed that both LjANR and rLjANR encoded 333 amino acids and were predicted to be stable hydrophobic proteins without transmembrane segments and signal peptides. The secondary structures of LjANR and rLjANR were predicted to be mainly consisted of α-helix and random coil. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis showed that LjANR and rLjANR had high homology with Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis, Camellia sinensis and Camellia oleifera, and were closely related to them. The expression levels of LjANR and rLjANR were the highest in flower buds and the lowest in roots. The expression patterns at different flowering stages were similar, with higher expression levels in S1 and S2 stages and then gradually decreased until reaching the lowest level in S4 stage, after a slow increase in S5 stage, the expression levels decreased again. The expression levels of ANR genes in the two varieties showed significant differences in roots, S2 and S5 stages, while the differences in stems, flower buds, S1, S3 and S6 stages were extremely significant. The prokaryotic expression vector pET-32a-LjANR was constructed for protein expression. The target protein was successfully expressed of about 59 kD. This study lays a foundation for further study on the function of ANR gene and provides theoretical guidance for breeding new varieties of Lonicera japonica Thunb.

Objective:To study the feasibility of preserving the subvalvular structure during mitral valve replacement and whether it is more conducive to the recovery of cardiac function.Methods:The clinical data of 205 patients who underwent mitral valve replacement due to mitral insufficiency in Enshi Central Hospital from January 2017 to December 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. According to whether the subvalvular structure of mitral valve was preserved during operation, they were divided into three groups: group A was to preserve all the subvalvular structures of anterior and posterior mitral valve, group B retained all or part of the subvalvular structure of the posterior valve, in group C, all anterior and posterior subvalvular structures were removed. The operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic occlusion time of patients in each group were counted. Postoperative ventilator use time, ICU stay time and incidence of complications; mitral flow velocities (MVE), left ventricular end diastolic dimension (LVED), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) were rechecked by echocardiography at 1 week, 3 months and 6 months after operation.Results:There were no significant differences in operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, aortic occlusion time, ventilator use time and ICU stay time among the three groups before surgery ( P>0.05). There were no death cases in perioperative period, and all patients were cured and discharged from hospital. The results of cardiac color ultrasound showed that MVE, LVED, LVEF and LVFS were improved compared with those before operation. Postoperative ultrasound results showed no significant difference in MVE at 1 week, 3 months and 6 months ( P>0.05). At 1 week after surgery, LVED in group A was lower than that in group B and C: (44.90 ± 5.59) mm vs. (46.13 ± 6.15) mm, (48.33 ± 5.59) mm. The difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Three months after operation, LVED and LVFS in group A were higher than those in group B and group C: (43.37 ± 5.61) mm vs. (44.69 ± 5.45) mm and (53.42 ± 5.35) mm, (33.92 ± 3.34)% vs. (31.67 ± 3.20)% and (30.37 ± 6.96)%, respectively. The differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). At 6 months after operation, LVED in group A was lower than that in group B and group C: (41.86 ± 3.27) mm vs. (47.85 ± 6.93) mm and (53.42 ± 8.17) mm. LVFS was higher than that in group B and group C: (33.42 ± 2.64) % vs. (32.18 ± 5.98) % and (32.28 ± 2.58) %, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Preserving the whole subvalvular structure of mitral valve will not lead to prosthetic valve dysfunction and increase surgical complications. After operation, it showed better reduction of left ventricular end diastolic diameter and better left ventricular shortening rate, which was more conducive to the recovery of cardiac function.

Objective:To analyze active components， its targets and signaling pathways of Shenlian formula based on network pharmacology， and explore the molecular mechanism of Shenlian formula in the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease （ASCVD）， in order to provide a basis for the rational interpretation of the prescription compatibility of Shenlian formula. Method:Major chemical compounds of the formula were obtained by SymMap and Systematic pharmacology database and analysis platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCMSP）， its target proteins were obtained by SymMap and ETCM Databases， and the pathogenic genes responsible for of ASCVD were obtained by DisGeNET and GEO Datebases. Protein targets of drugs and pathogenic genes of diseases were overlapped to obtain predicted targets of Shenlian Formula for ASCVD. Proteins-proteins interactions （PPI） network was built through the String Datebase. The Cytoscape 3.6.0 was used to explore the key compounds and targets of Shenlian formula on ASCVD. Then gene ontology （GO） enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） signaling pathway were analyzed to screen out the key targets of Shenlian Formula. Rat I/R model was adopted as representative disease model of ASCVD for experimental verification. Result:There were 59 candidate compounds， 67 predicted targets and 29 key targets of Shenlian formula on ASCVD. Key targets mainly included cyclooxygenase 2 （PTGS2）， estrogen receptor 1 （ESR1） and TP53. GO analysis showed that the biological functions of potential genes of Shenlian formula in treatment of ASCVD were mainly related to apoptotic， nitric oxide biosynthetic process， response to estradiol， angiogenesis， inflammatory response and oxidative stress and acute-phase response. KEGG pathway enrichment results showed that the pathways of potential genes of Shenlian formula in treatment of ASCVD mainly involved TNF signaling pathway， phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase （PI3K）/ protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway， hypoxia induction factor-1 （HIF-1） signaling pathway and apoptosis. Among them， the regulatory effect of Shenlian formula on apoptosis may act on not only TP53， but also different signaling pathways of apoptosis respectively， thus playing a synergistic effect. In vivo experimentation confirmed that Shenlian formula could significantly reduce the myocardial infarction area， improve the myocardial histopathological changes， and especially reduce myocardial mitochondrial injury. Further analysis showed that Shenlian formula can significantly inhibit the expressions of activated proteins in mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Conclusion:Anti-atherosclerosis traditional Chinese medicine Shenlian formula could effectively intervene ASCVD， and its effect on mitochondrial apoptosis of myocardial cells is one of its mechanisms in protecting myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background: A patient’s infectivity is determined by the presence of the virus in different body fluids, secretions, and excreta. The persistence and clearance of viral RNA from different specimens of patients with 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remain unclear. This study analyzed the clearance time and factors influencing 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) RNA in different samples from patients with COVID-19, providing further evidence to improve the management of patients during convalescence. Methods: The clinical data and laboratory test results of convalescent patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to from January 20, 2020 to February 10, 2020 were collected retrospectively. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results for patients’ oropharyngeal swab, stool, urine, and serum samples were collected and analyzed. Convalescent patients refer to recovered non-febrile patients without respiratory symptoms who had two successive (minimum 24 h sampling interval) negative RT-PCR results for viral RNA from oropharyngeal swabs. The effects of cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4)+ T lymphocytes, inflammatory indicators, and glucocorticoid treatment on viral nucleic acid clearance were analyzed. Results: In the 292 confirmed cases, 66 patients recovered after treatment and were included in our study. In total, 28 (42.4%) women and 38 men (57.6%) with a median age of 44.0 (34.0–62.0) years were analyzed. After in-hospital treatment, patients’ inflammatory indicators decreased with improved clinical condition. The median time from the onset of symptoms to first negative RT-PCR results for oropharyngeal swabs in convalescent patients was 9.5 (6.0–11.0) days. By February 10, 2020, 11 convalescent patients (16.7%) still tested positive for viral RNA from stool specimens and the other 55 patients’ stool specimens were negative for 2019-nCoV following a median duration of 11.0 (9.0–16.0) days after symptom onset. Among these 55 patients, 43 had a longer duration until stool specimens were negative for viral RNA than for throat swabs, with a median delay of 2.0 (1.0–4.0) days. Results for only four (6.9%) urine samples were positive for viral nucleic acid out of 58 cases; viral RNA was still present in three patients’ urine specimens after throat swabs were negative. Using a multiple linear regression model (F=2.669, P=0.044, and adjusted R²=0.122), the analysis showed that the CD4+ T lymphocyte count may help predict the duration of viral RNA detection in patients’ stools (t=-2.699, P=0.010). The duration of viral RNA detection from oropharyngeal swabs and fecal samples in the glucocorticoid treatment group was longer than that in the non-glucocorticoid treatment group (15 days vs 8.0 days, respectively; t=2.550, P=0.013) and the duration of viral RNA detection in fecal samples in the glucocorticoid treatment group was longer than that in the non-glucocorticoid treatment group (20 days vs 11 days, respectively; t=4.631, P <0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in inflammatory indicators between patients with positive fecal viral RNA test results and those with negative results (P >0.05). Conclusions In brief, as the clearance of viral RNA in patients’ stools was delayed compared to that in oropharyngeal swabs, it is important to identify viral RNA in feces during convalescence. Because of the delayed clearance of viral RNA in the glucocorticoid treatment group, glucocorticoids are not recommended in the treatment of COVID-19, especially for mild disease. The duration of RNA detection may relate to host cell immunity.

BACKGROUND: A patient's infectivity is determined by the presence of the virus in different body fluids, secretions, and excreta. The persistence and clearance of viral RNA from different specimens of patients with 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remain unclear. This study analyzed the clearance time and factors influencing 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) RNA in different samples from patients with COVID-19, providing further evidence to improve the management of patients during convalescence. METHODS: The clinical data and laboratory test results of convalescent patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to from January 20, 2020 to February 10, 2020 were collected retrospectively. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results for patients' oropharyngeal swab, stool, urine, and serum samples were collected and analyzed. Convalescent patients refer to recovered non-febrile patients without respiratory symptoms who had two successive (minimum 24 h sampling interval) negative RT-PCR results for viral RNA from oropharyngeal swabs. The effects of cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4)+ T lymphocytes, inflammatory indicators, and glucocorticoid treatment on viral nucleic acid clearance were analyzed. RESULTS: In the 292 confirmed cases, 66 patients recovered after treatment and were included in our study. In total, 28 (42.4%) women and 38 men (57.6%) with a median age of 44.0 (34.0-62.0) years were analyzed. After in-hospital treatment, patients' inflammatory indicators decreased with improved clinical condition. The median time from the onset of symptoms to first negative RT-PCR results for oropharyngeal swabs in convalescent patients was 9.5 (6.0-11.0) days. By February 10, 2020, 11 convalescent patients (16.7%) still tested positive for viral RNA from stool specimens and the other 55 patients' stool specimens were negative for 2019-nCoV following a median duration of 11.0 (9.0-16.0) days after symptom onset. Among these 55 patients, 43 had a longer duration until stool specimens were negative for viral RNA than for throat swabs, with a median delay of 2.0 (1.0-4.0) days. Results for only four (6.9%) urine samples were positive for viral nucleic acid out of 58 cases; viral RNA was still present in three patients' urine specimens after throat swabs were negative. Using a multiple linear regression model (F = 2.669, P = 0.044, and adjusted R = 0.122), the analysis showed that the CD4+ T lymphocyte count may help predict the duration of viral RNA detection in patients' stools (t = -2.699, P = 0.010). The duration of viral RNA detection from oropharyngeal swabs and fecal samples in the glucocorticoid treatment group was longer than that in the non-glucocorticoid treatment group (15 days vs. 8.0 days, respectively; t = 2.550, P = 0.013) and the duration of viral RNA detection in fecal samples in the glucocorticoid treatment group was longer than that in the non-glucocorticoid treatment group (20 days vs. 11 days, respectively; t = 4.631, P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in inflammatory indicators between patients with positive fecal viral RNA test results and those with negative results (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In brief, as the clearance of viral RNA in patients' stools was delayed compared to that in oropharyngeal swabs, it is important to identify viral RNA in feces during convalescence. Because of the delayed clearance of viral RNA in the glucocorticoid treatment group, glucocorticoids are not recommended in the treatment of COVID-19, especially for mild disease. The duration of RNA detection may relate to host cell immunity.
Adult ; Aged ; Betacoronavirus ; genetics ; Clinical Laboratory Techniques ; Coronavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; genetics ; rehabilitation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; genetics ; rehabilitation ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of different sandblasting conditions on the metal-ceramic bonding strength of Co-Cr alloy fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) technology. METHODS: A total of 63 specimens of Co-Cr alloy fabricated by SLM were prepared and randomly divided into nine groups (n=7). Each group was treated with different powder particles (A1=50 µm, A2=100 µm, and A3=150 µm) and pressures (B1=0.2 MPa, B2=0.4 MPa, and B3=0.6 MPa) in sandblasting. One sample was randomly selected from each group for microstructure observation by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Ceramic was fired at the center of the specimens. Metal-ceramic bonding strength was measured with universal testing machine. Results were statistically analyzed with SPSS 17.0 software. RESULTS: The mean bond strengths were as follows: Group A1B1: 27.22 MPa±0.95 MPa, Group A1B2: 27.58 MPa±0.47 MPa, Group A1B3: 26.80 MPa±0.71 MPa, Group A2B1: 27.54 MPa±0.78 MPa, Group A2B2: 30.75 MPa±0.43 MPa, Group A2B3: 26.93 MPa±0.88 MPa, Group A3B1: 28.18 MPa±0.93 MPa, Group A3B2: 29.55 MPa±0.57 MPa, and Group A3B3: 28.11 MPa±0.91 MPa. The particle factor of Al₂O₃ and the pressure factor of blasting showed statistical significance (P<0.05). An interaction was observed between the factors of particle and pressure (P<0.05). Mixed fracture mode of all specimens was observed after the shear strength test. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, metal-ceramic bonding strength reaches the maximum when specimens are sandblasted with 100 µm alumina oxide at 0.4 MPa pressure.
Ceramics ; Dental Bonding ; Materials Testing ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Shear Strength ; Surface Properties

Objective To investigate the expression differences and significance of periostin (PN) in eyelid basal cell carcinoma associated fibroblasts (BCAFs) andnormal fibroblasts (NFs) after separation,culture,purification and identification.Methods The third generation of purified BCAFs and NFs was selected,and the concentrations of cell suspensions were modulated to 20 × 106 L-1 by trypsin,and then the cell suspension were seeded and cultured in 6-well plate by 2 mL per well.The cell culture supernatants were collected when BCAFs and NFs were cultured by serum-free medium for 48 h,then the content of PN in cell culture supernatants from BCAFs and NFs was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The glass coverslips were placed at the bottom of the 6-well plate to make cell slides,and then the expression of PN in BCAFs and NFs cells were tested by immunofluorescence staining.Results ELISA showed that the content of PN in cell culture supernatants from BCAFs and NFs was (9.26 ± 2.35) μg · L-1 and (2.57 ± 0.41) μg · L-1.And the expression level of PN in BCAFs tested by immunofluorescence staining technology was higher than that in NFs cells,and the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The expression and secretion of PN in the eyelid BCAFs were highly enhanced when compared with NFs,suggesting that periostein may promote or inhibit the occurrence and development of the eyelid basal cell carcinoma in the microenvironment of the eyelid basal cell carcinoma.

This study aimed to determine the impact of dentinal tubule orientation on dentin bond strength to provide a reference for clinical cavity preparation in resin-bonded restoration.Patients aged 13-16 years were selected,including 18 males and 21 females.Forty-eight human maxillary first premolars from orthodontic extractions were chosen to prepare the test models with the dentinal tubule orientations perpendicular and parallel to the bonding substrate.The test models in the vertical and parallel groups were divided into three groups:total-etching with 20％ phosphoric acid,total-etching with 35％ phosphoric acid and self-etching,with the dentinal tubule surfaces bonded with composite resin blocks in each group.After the standard test models of dentinal tubule-composite resin blocks were placed in distilled water and stored at 37℃ for 24 h,shearing tests were performed using a universal material testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min.The bond strength values in the vertical group were 19.33±1.59 MPa for the 20％ phosphoric acid group,21.39±2.34 MPa for the 35％ phosphoric acid group,and 16.88±1.54 MPa for the self-etching group.The bond strength values in the parallel group were 24.53±1.99MPa for the 20％ phosphoric acid group,25.16±2.88 MPa for the 35％ phosphoric acid group,and 20.83±1.99 for the self-etching group.After using same total-etching adhesive,the shear bond strength of the parallel group was higher than that of the vertical group,and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).Regardless of vertical group or parallel group,the difference in the bond strength value between the total-etching groups and the self-etching group was statistically significant (P＜0.05).It was concluded that the dentin bonding substrate which was parallel to the direction of the dentin tubule achieved an improved bond strength;the total-etching adhesives achieved higher bond strengths in dentin bond than the self-etching adhesives.

UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE This study aims to construct a chitosan (CS)-polycaprolactone (PCL)-hydroxyapatite (HA) composite biomimetic scaffold to replace condyle and to explore the tissue engineering applications of condylar.

METHODSA resin mold of the mandibular condyle was prepared by using rapid prototyping techniques. A mandibular condylar integrated biomimetic scaffold model was prepared by solution casting-ice Lek. PCL and CS were mixed at a ratio of 4:1. HA at quality ratios of 40%, 50%, 60%, and 70% was added to groups a, b, c, and d, respectively. The microscopic morphology, porosity, infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction pattern, and mechanical properties of the scaffold were observed.

RESULTSThe scaffold that includes both upper and lower parts displayed the same features (i.e., shape, yellow-white appearance, and hard texture) as the mandibular condyle. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the composite scaffold had a 3D network spatial structure, 70%-85% porosity, and 10-200 µm pore size. Infrared spectra showed that the peak intensity reduced with decreasing HA content. X-ray diffraction showed that the diffraction peak decreased with increasing HA content. Suitable tensile and compressive and flexural strength were discovered in the presence of 50% HA.

CONCLUSIONThe scaffold prepared by solution casting-ice Lek shows favorable comprehensive features and is expected to replace human condylar.

Chitosan ; Durapatite ; Hardness ; Humans ; Mandible ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Polyesters ; Porosity ; Tissue Engineering ; Tissue Scaffolds ; X-Ray Diffraction