Geriatric oral health care encounters significant challenges with the increase in the proportion of older individuals. Age-related changes in the dentition, muscles, and joints result in a decline in objective masticatory function, subjective restoration requirements, and acceptability among the elderly population, with individual variations influenced by systemic health. Considering functional requirements, the adaptability of stomatognathic and systemic health conditions, health economics and other factors, the authors believe that it should not be limited to the conventional "one-to-one" strategy for replacing missing teeth in geriatric prosthodontics. There is an urgent need for a precise and adaptable restoration strategy that is more suitable for older individuals. The proposal of a new concept of functional tooth loss updates the minimal restoration standards for elderly patients and establishes the theory of age-friendly functional restoration. Based on the restoration strategy of functional tooth loss, this paper proposes a new concept termed "age-friendly functional restoration of the stomatognathic system", which integrates treatment considerations including endodontics, periodontology, mucosa, muscles, temporomandibular joint, and systemic health. Efforts should be made in four areas as follows. Firstly, the "assessment of accessible function" should be enhanced by considering the interrelationship between stomatognathic and systemic health. Secondly, the "evaluation of appropriate function" is supposed to be optimised in view of subjective needs and objective evaluation of the stomatognathic system. Moreover, the "formulation of treatment plans" needs to be accomplished with the aid of assistive technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to accurately exert appropriate functional restoration. Lastly, the "management and maintenance of health" is likely to be strengthened through follow-ups, propaganda and education, and preventive healthcare, so as to improve quality of life and ultimately achieve healthy ageing among older individuals.
Humans ; Tooth Loss/therapy* ; Aged ; Stomatognathic System ; Oral Health ; Dental Care for Aged ; Dental Restoration, Permanent/methods*

Objective To analyze the mortality and its changing trend, and composition and order of causes of death of residents in Mengzi City, and to provide a basis for further disease prevention and control. Methods The death causes surveillance data from 2018 to 2021 were derived from the all-cause-of-death surveillance system in Mengzi City. A retrospective analysis was performed on the mortality rate, life expectancy, life expectancy eliminating causes of death, and life loss. The annual percentage change (APC) was analyzed by the Joinpoint regression model to describe changes in mortality trends. Results The overall crude mortality rate was 633.88/100,000. The age-adjusted mortality was 866.87/100,000. There was a significant downward trend in the crude and standardized mortality (APC=-1.73% , APC=-5.96% , P<0.05). Deaths due to chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for 76.44% of the total deaths. The top 5 causes of death of the residents were cerebrovascular diseases (140.38/100 000), heart diseases (104.24/100 000), malignant neoplasms (92.75/100 000), injuries (79.37/100 000), and respiratory diseases (63.17/100 000) in order, accounting for 75.71% of all causes of death. Life expectancy was 75.67 years, 72.32 years and 79.49 years in the whole-population, males and females, respectively. The potential life expectancy loss due to injury, malignant tumor and cerebrovascular disease accounted for 65.45% of all causes of death. Conclusion Chronic non-communicable diseases are the focus of prevention and control work in Mengzi City. Particular attention should be paid to the damage to health and loss of life caused by injuries, malignancies and cerebrovascular diseases.

Background::Findings on the association of genetic factors and colorectal cancer (CRC) survival are limited and inconsistent, and revealing the mechanism underlying their prognostic roles is of great importance. This study aimed to explore the relationship between functional genetic variations and the prognosis of CRC and further reveal the possible mechanism.Methods::We first systematically performed expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Then, the Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to filter out the survival-related eQTL target genes of CRC patients in two public datasets (TCGA and GSE39582 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus database). The seven most potentially functional eQTL single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with six survival-related eQTL target genes were genotyped in 907 Chinese CRC patients with clinical prognosis data. The regulatory mechanism of the survival-related SNP was further confirmed by functional experiments.Results::The rs71630754 regulating the expression of endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 ( ERAP1) was significantly associated with the prognosis of CRC (additive model, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.88, P = 0.012). The results of dual-luciferase reporter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that the A allele of the rs71630754 could increase the binding of transcription factor 3 (TCF3) and subsequently reduce the expression of ERAP1. The results of bioinformatic analysis showed that lower expression of ERAP1 could affect the tumor immune microenvironment and was significantly associated with severe survival outcomes. Conclusion::The rs71630754 could influence the prognosis of CRC patients by regulating the expression of the immune-related gene ERAP1. Trial Registration::No. NCT00454519 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/)

【Objective】 To analyze the association of overweight and obesity with elevated blood pressure(BP) among children and adolescents in Mengzi City, in order to provide reference for making effective interventions. 【Methods】 A total of 30 classes of students in 14 schools were selected into this study by a stratified random cluster sampling method from October 2020 to September 2021. The paticipants completed a questionnaire survey, and had their height, weight and BP measured. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of overweight and obesity with elevated BP. 【Results】 A total of 4 015 children and adolescents aged 7 - 17 years were involved in the study. The detection rate of overweight, obesity and elevated BP was 12.53%, 10.01% and 12.38%, respectively. The detection rate of elevated BP was 9.96%, 19.48% and 25.62% in normal weight, overweight and obese groups, respectively. The risk of elevated BP in the overweight and obese groups was 2.190 times(95%CI: 1.696 - 2.926, P<0.001) and 3.243 times(95%CI: 2.501 - 4.204, P<0.001) as high as that in normal weight groups. The dietary and exercise behaviors of 1 604 adolescents were analyzed, it was found that the detection rate of obesity was significntly higher in non-boarding students(15.09%) and those who consumed fresh fruits at least once a day(13.49%)(χ²=18.012, 7.225, P<0.05), the detection rate of elevated BP was significantly higher in among those who did not consume sugary beverages(16.88%), and performed moderate-to-high intensity physical exercise of 60 minutes or more ≤ 2 days per week(16.88%)(χ²=9.403, 14.921,P<0.01). 【Conclusions】 The risk of developing hypertension increases with the high prevalence of overweight and obesity and is strongly associated with multiple factors. Therefore, it is essential to conduct effective weight control and behavioral lifestyle interventions among children and adolescents.

Objective:To explore the awareness and experiences of elder abuse among staff in nursing homes.Methods:Qualitative studies on elder abuse by nursing home staff were systematically searched in databases, including China Biology Medicine disc, Wanfang data, Web of Science, and PubMed, up to August 15, 2023. A meta-synthesis approach was employed to categorize and integrate the findings.Results:Fourteen articles were included, yielding 93 themes. After repeated reading, analysis, and comparison, similar results were categorized into 12 new categories, synthesized into three integrated outcomes: causes of elder abuse, forms of elder abuse, and strategies for prevention and intervention of elder abuse.Conclusions:Staff should pay attention to the issue of elder abuse in nursing homes, establish closer connections between institutions, the aged, and their families, and promote healthy aging within these facilities.

Objective To develop a self-assessment scale for medication literacy in patients with coronary heart disease comorbidity diabetes and to test its reliability and validity.Methods According to medication literacy theory model,the initial scale was formed through literature review,the qualitative interview and expert inquiry.Cognitive interview was used to optimize the expression of item text.421 patients with coronary heart disease comorbidity diabetes in a tertiary hospital in Zhejiang province from November 2022 to April 2023 were selected to investigate the reliability and validity of the scale by convenience sampling.Results The self-assessment scale of drug literacy for coronary heart disease comorbidity diabetes mellitus included 23 items in 5 dimensions including acquisition,understanding,communication,evaluation and calculation.The total Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.911;the retest reliability was 0.948;the average content validity index was 0.997;the correlation coefficients between each dimension and total score of the scale and the calibration scale ranged from 0.485 to 0.926.The exploratory factor analysis was employed to extract 5 common factors,and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 73.753％.Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the scale factor structure was stable.Conclusion The scale has good reliability and validity,and it can be used as an effective tool to evaluate the self-rated medication literacy level of patients with coronary heart disease comorbidity diabetes.

Objective:To systematically evaluate the disease experience of patients with gestational hypertension, provide targeted care support for patients with gestational hypertension and promote their physical and mental health.Methods:This study is a Meta-synthesis. Qualitative studies on the experience of hypertensive patients during pregnancy were searched through PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, VIP and China Biology Medicine disc. The retrieval time limit was from the establishment of the databases to May 8, 2022. The quality of the studies were evaluated using the quality evaluation criteria for qualitative research of the Australian Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-Based Health Care Center, and the results were integrated by the pooled integration method.Results:A total of 13 studies were included, 55 complete research results were extracted, 9 new categories were summarized and 3 integrated results were synthesized. Integration result 1 was the physical, psychological and behavioral changes that occurred in patients with gestational hypertension after diagnosis of the disease. Integration result 2 was that patients with gestational hypertension had coping deficits and hoped to receive support from multiple sources. Integration result 3 was the current and future challenges for patients with gestational hypertension.Conclusions:Gestational hypertension will bring many impacts to the patients, which needs support from many aspects. There are many challenges for disease management in the future. Medical staff should fully understand the experience of patients with gestational hypertension, give guidance and support to the most authentic feelings and experiences of the patients and encourage them to actively deal with the disease. At the same time, an effective and comprehensive support system should be built to help them better manage the disease.

Objective:To systematically integrate qualitative research on the decision-making experience of fertility preservation in cancer patients of childbearing age, so as to provide evidence-based basis for improving patients' fertility preservation decision-making ability and formulating targeted intervention plans.Methods:Qualitative research on the decision-making experience of fertility preservation in cancer patients of childbearing age was systematically searched on PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) , Wanfang Database, VIP and China Biology Medicine disc. The search period was from database establishment to December 2, 2022. The quality of literature was evaluated using the quality evaluation criteria for qualitative research of the Australia Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-Based Health Care Center. The results were integrated using the Meta-synthesis method.Results:A total of 11 articles were included, 28 results were extracted, summarized into 6 categories, and formed 3 integrated results. The integration results included the challenges and opportunities faced by fertility preservation decision-making, fertility preservation decision-making was influenced by individual, family and social factors, and lack of sufficient decision-making support.Conclusions:Cancer patients of childbearing age lack decision-making support for fertility preservation and face decision-making difficulties. Medical and nursing staff should comprehensively evaluate the fertility needs of cancer patients of childbearing age, pay attention to their cognition and experience, provide professional fertility counseling, and help patients make high-quality decision-making.

Objective:To investigate the expression of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission-related receptors angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) in human conjunctival tissue and its clinical significance.Methods:Fifty human conjunctival tissue specimens from 50 patients including 10 normal conjunctival tissues, 15 conjunctival papilloma tissues, 15 conjunctival nevus tissues and 10 conjunctival cyst tissues were collected from June 2019 to June 2020 at Xi'an People's Hospital.Ten corneal tissue samples from 10 patients with eyes removed due to trauma were collected as control.The distribution of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in different corneal tissues was detected by the immunohistochemistry.The expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 was scored and compared.Reuse of the human samples and the research protocol was approved by an Ethics Committee of Xi'an People's Hospital (No.20190022). Written informed consent was obtained from each patient.Results:ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were both expressed in normal conjunctival epithelium, epithelial cells in conjunctiva papilloma and conjunctival nevus, and cells in conjunctiva cyst wall.ACE2 was mainly distributed in the superficial and intermediate cells of conjunctival epithelium, but not in the basal cells and goblet cells.TMPRSS2 was found in different layers of cells.The positive expression rates of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in conjunctiva were both 100%.There was no significant difference in the expression intensity of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 among normal conjunctival tissue, conjunctival papilloma, conjunctival nevus and conjunctival cyst (all at P>0.05). Weakly expressed in corneal tissues, ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were more moderately and strongly expressed in conjunctival tissues.There were significant differences in the number of differently graded ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression between normal conjunctival tissues, conjunctival papilloma, conjunctival nevus, conjunctival cyst and corneal tissues (ACE2: Z=-3.473, -4.183, -3.970, -3.873, all at P<0.01; TMPRSS2: Z=-4.119, -4.472, -4.443, -4.147, all at P<0.001). Conclusions:COVID-19 transmission-related receptors ACE2 and TMPRSS2 are expressed in human conjunctival tissue, which provides organological evidence for ocular surface transmission of COVID-19.

Objective:To compare biomechanical stabilities between screw-plate fixation and non-cannulated screw fixation for Lisfranc ligament injury by a 3-D finite element analysis.Methods:A 3-D model of a healthy foot was developed from computed tomography images. The 1st and the 2nd dorsal tarsometatarsal ligaments and Lisfranc ligament were cut in the 3-D model of a healthy foot to establish a Lisfranc ligament injury model, in which screw-plate fixation (with 2 locking plates and 8 standard screws and one non-cannulated screw) and non-cannulated screw fixation (with 3 non-cannulated screws) for Lisfranc ligament injury were simulated respectively. Finite element analyses were carried out by Abaqus 6.14 software after loads were added in the 3-D models of screw-plate fixation and non-cannulated screw fixation for Lisfranc ligament injury. The overall stress-strain nephogram, the stress distribution and displacement of the foot bone, and the stress distribution on the internal fixation system were compared between the 2 kinds of models.Results:Under the same load, the stress of the whole screw-plate fixation was concentrated on the fixators, and the stress of the non-cannulated screws was also greater than that of the bones. In both models, the strain of the whole foot led to arch collapse, especially in the medial column. The maximum stress on the screw holes in the medial and middle columns in the screw-plate fixation model was 39.91 MPa, smaller than that in the non-cannulated screw fixation model (53.13 MPa). The relative displacement of the first metatarsal joint in the screw-plate fixation model was 8.515 × 10 -1 mm, much greater than that in the non-cannulated screw fixation model (3.893 × 10 -1 mm). Stress concentration was observed in both models. The stress of the screw-plate system was concentrated on the fibular side of the middle section of the plate used to fix the first tarsometatarsal joint, decreasing towards both ends. The maximum stress of the non-cannulated screws was located in the middle of the medial column screw for fixation of the first tarsometatarsal joint, significantly greater than those of the both ends. The maximum stress of the screw-plate system was 239.5 MPa, smaller than that of the non-cannulated screws (256.8 MPa). Conclusions:Non-cannulated screw fixation demonstrates a greater biomechanical stability for Lisfranc ligament injury than screw-plate fixation. However, the former may have a higher risk of screw breakage because it bears a greater stress.