Background Pneumoconiosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that cannot be completely cured. Therefore, how to control lung inflammation and delay of the body aging is one of the keys to treating pneumoconiosis. The studies in past two decades suggested that many small molecule drugs are able to enhance cardiopulmonary function. Objective To explore the effects of homeopathic dosing and combined dosing of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide and taurine on experimental silicosis in rats. Methods Seventy-two SD specific pathogen-free rats were randomized into 4 groups (18 mice in each group): negative control group (ultrapure water, without dust), positive control group, homeopathic treatment group, co-administered treatment group. One mL of quartz dust suspension was injected into the rat trachea by disposable non-exposed tracheal injection method (50 mg·mL⁻¹) to establish a rat silicosis model. Rats were administered by gavage since the 4th day after dust exposure. The homeopathic treatment group rats received taurine solution (0.03 g·mL⁻¹) in the morning and β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (0.03 g·mL⁻¹) in the afternoon; the co-administered treatment group rats received a mixed solution (0.015 g·mL⁻¹ β-nicotinamide mononucleotide + 0.015 g·mL⁻¹ taurine) twice, in the morning and afternoon respectively. The positive and negative control groups received equivalent of ultrapure water in the morning and afternoon. All groups of rats were administered 5 d a week for a total of 6 weeks. The rats were neutralized after 6 weeks of administration. Organ coefficient, lung hydroxyproline content, whole lung dry and wet weights, whole lung free silica content, and cell count and classification in lung lavage fluid were measured and calculated, and lung histopathological changes in lung samples were observed. Results Compared with the positive control group, the whole lung wet weight, whole lung dry weight , total cell count, neutrophil rate, lung organ coefficient, lung hydroxyproline content, and whole lung free silica content were reduce in the homeopathic treatment group, and the co-administered treatment group (P＜0.05). Compared with the negative control group, the total cell count, neutrophil rate, lung organ coefficient, lung hydroxyproline content, and whole lung free silica content were elevated in the homeopathic treatment group and the co-administered treatment group, the whole lung dry weight was elevated in the co-administered treatment group, and those differences were all statistically significant (P＜0.05). The rat lung histopathological results showed that, in the positive control group, round or oval nodules were formed in the lung tissue, which were phagocytic cellular nodules, and the alveolar structures in some areas still existed. The histopathological changes in the homeopathic treatment group and the co-administered treatment group were similar to those of the positive group, but less severe. No pathological change was observed in the lung tissue of the negative control group. Conclusion Some improvement and dust removal in experimental silicosis rats by homeopathic dosing and combined dosing of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide and taurine are observed.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are common clinical conditions. The number of patients with TMJ diseases is large, and the etiology, epidemiology, disease spectrum, and treatment of the disease remain controversial and unknown. To understand and master the current situation of the occurrence, development and prevention of TMJ diseases, as well as to identify the patterns in etiology, incidence, drug sensitivity, and prognosis is crucial for alleviating patients′suffering.This will facilitate in-depth medical research, effective disease prevention measures, and the formulation of corresponding health policies. Cohort construction and research has an irreplaceable role in precise disease prevention and significant improvement in diagnosis and treatment levels. Large-scale cohort studies are needed to explore the relationship between potential risk factors and outcomes of TMJ diseases, and to observe disease prognoses through long-term follw-ups. The consensus aims to establish a standard conceptual frame work for a cohort study on patients with TMJ disease while providing ideas for cohort data standards to this condition. TMJ disease cohort data consists of both common data standards applicable to all specific disease cohorts as well as disease-specific data standards. Common data were available for each specific disease cohort. By integrating different cohort research resources, standard problems or study variables can be unified. Long-term follow-up can be performed using consistent definitions and criteria across different projects for better core data collection. It is hoped that this consensus will be facilitate the development cohort studies of TMJ diseases.

Objective:To analyze the effectiveness and safety of robot-assisted percutaneous endoscopic posterior/transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (RPE-P/TLIF) in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with instability.Methods:From September 2018 to April 2022, 26 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis combined with lumbar segmental instability were treated with RPE-P/TLIF at the Department of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine. There were 13 males and 13 females, with a mean age of 57.92±7.09 years (range, 44 to 75 years) and a mean body mass index of 24.05±2.64 kg/m 2 (range, 19.38 to 29.06 kg/m 2). A total of 31 segments were included, including 21 cases of single-segment surgery (L 3, 4 in 2 cases, L 4, 5 in 18 cases, and L 5S 1 in 1 case) and 5 cases of two-segment surgery (all L 3-L 5). Before surgery and at 1, 6, and 12 months after surgery, as well as at the final follow-up, the visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess back pain and lower limb pain, and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate spinal nerve function. Clinical efficacy was evaluated using the MacNab criteria at the final follow-up. Imaging evaluation indicators included pre- and post-operative intervertebral space height, lumbar lordosis angle, fusion rate, and accuracy of pedicle screw placement. Results:The follow-up time for the 26 patients was 42.88±10.09 months (range, 12 to 55 months). The mean operation time was 156.54±33.50 min, and the mean postoperative drainage volume was 27.23±20.20 ml. The VAS scores for back pain and lower limb pain before surgery were 4.35±1.23 and 6.08±0.63, respectively. These scores decreased to 2.08±0.69 and 1.85±0.54 at 1 month postoperatively, 1.85±0.54 and 0.77±0.59 at 6 months, 0.96±0.53 and 0.62±0.57 at 1 year, and 0.88±0.52 and 0.58±0.50 at the final follow-up, respectively. The differences were statistically significant ( F=85.943, P=0.001; F=547.946, P=0.014). The ODI scores before surgery and at 1, 6, 12 months after surgery, and at the final follow-up were 55.38%±5.89%, 28.38%±3.849%, 17.77%±2.67%, 12.58%±1.88% and 12.12%±2.27% respectively, with statistically significant differences ( F=783.289, P=0.010). According to the MacNab criteria, at the final follow-up, there were 18 cases of excellent, 6 cases of good, and 2 cases of fair, with an excellent and good rate of 92.3%. A total of 114 percutaneous pedicle screws were implanted with grades A, B and C being 109, 4 and 1, respectively. The preoperative, postoperative, and final follow-up intervertebral space heights were 10.55±1.96, 13.53±1.37, and 12.54±1.42 mm respectively, with statistically significant differences ( F=42.190, P<0.001). And the lumbar lordosis angles were 35.81°±10.80°, 35.69°±11.07°, and 36.08°±11.29° respectively, with no statistically significant differences ( P>0.05). At 12 months postoperatively, bone fusion was achieved in 25 cases, with a fusion rate of 96% (25/26). Conclusion:RPE-P/TLIF for lumbar spinal stenosis combined with lumbar instability were favorable. Being a safe and effective minimally invasive surgical option, it effectively enhanced the intervertebral space height in the surgical segment with fewer complications.

Objective:To evaluate the curative effect of percutaneous transhepatic choledoscopy (PTCS) in the treatment of complex intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct stones.Methods:Clinical data of 120 patients with complex intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct stones admitted to Baiyin Second People's Hospital from January 2021 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 74 males and 46 females, aged (53.3±2.4) years old. Patients were divided the control group ( n=60) who underwent routine laparotomy and the observation group ( n=60) who underwent PTCS. Perioperative outcomes, including the intraoperative blood loss, operation time, postoperative exhaust time, stress status, liver function index [serum level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)] and postoperative complications of the two groups were compared. Results:Compared with the control group, the observation group had a shorter operation time [(1.62±0.24) h vs. (2.35±0.28) h] and postoperative exhaust time [(1.80±0.25) d vs. (2.53±0.28) d], and a decreased intraoperative blood loss [(51.21±8.23) ml vs. (119.21±8.29) ml] (all P<0.05). The serum levels of adrenaline [(119.7±12.0) ng/ml vs. (130.5±14.2) ng/ml], ALT [(70.02±2.42) U/L vs. (87.30±2.56) U/L] and AST [(188.6±24.7) U/L vs. (201.7±28.5) U/L] were lower in observation group one day after surgery (all P<0.05). The total effective rate in observation group was higher than that in control group [96.7%(58/60) vs. 83.3%(50/60), P=0.005]. The rate of complications was also lower in observation group [6.7%(4/60) vs. 36.7%(22/60), P=0.005]. Conclusion:Compared to routine laparotomy, PTCS could be more feasible for complex intra- and extrahepatic bile duct stones, considering its minimal invasiveness, less stress reaction, enhanced postoperative recovery, less disturbance of liver function, and decreased complications.

Objective : To investigate the histological damage recovery of temporomandibular joint condylar cartilage caused by chronic unpredictable moderate stress, aiming to provide an experimental basis for the prevention and treatment of temporomandibular disorder. Methods : This animal experiment was approved by the Laboratory Animal Ethical Inspection, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University (No. 2020081). 60 male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, stress group, and 2-, 4- and 8-week post-stress recovery groups. Rats were subjected to chronic unpredictable moderate stress (CUMS) for 8 weeks including damp sawdust for 24 hours, tilted cage for 12 hours, noise for 4 hours, light/dark cycle reversal, water immersion, tail clamp, and restraint stress. The serum assessment, behavioral tests, histological and ultrastructural observation were performed 2-, 4- and 8-weeks after stress factors were removed. Serum levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) were determined with ELISA. The sucrose preference test (SPT) and the forced swim test (FST) were used to assess the depressive-like behavior. The expression level of interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and matrix metalloproteinases-3 (MMP-3) were determined by Immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Results : At the end of 8 weeks of CUMS, the serum levels of CORT and ACTH were significantly higher in stress group compared with control group (P<0.01). The sucrose preference decreased significantly and the immobility time increased significantly in the stressed rats compared with those in the control group, indicating a successful establishment of CUMS. The condylar cartilage showed significant degenerative changes, with disorganized collagen fibers and reduced proteoglycan synthesis on the cartilage surface. IL-1α and MMP-3 were expressed in the intracellular and extracellular matrix of the condylar cartilage, and their expression levels were increased (P<0.01). After 2 weeks of stress removal, the serum levels of CORT and ACTH were decreased but higher than control group (P<0.01), and behavioral changes were still different from the control group (P<0.01); the loosened collagen fibers could still be seen on the surface of condylar cartilage, and some free cell areas were visible within the proliferative layer; additionally, IL-1α and MMP-3 expression in the condyle was reduced in all layers of cartilage when compared with the stress group, but was still higher than in the control group (P<0.01). After 4 weeks of stress removal, the serum levels of CORT and ACTH changes returned to normal levels and behavioral changes were still different from control group (P<0.05); a few collagen fibers could be seen on the surface of the condylar cartilage and the expressions of IL-1α and MMP-3 decreased significantly compared with the stress group (P<0.01), with the similar level of IL-1α (P>0.05) and higher expression of MMP-3 comparing with the control group (P<0.01). After 8 weeks of stress removal, behavioral changes returned to normal levels, with no statistically significant differences compared with the control group (P>0.05). The condylar collagen fibers increased and showed a corrugated pattern, and no serious subchondral bone damage as well as irreversible damage occurred. Both of the expression levels of IL-1α and MMP-3 approached those of the control group after 8 weeks of stress removal (P>0.05). Conclusion The behavioral changes and condylar cartilage damage caused by CUMS could be self-repaired. The decline in IL-1α and MMP-3 expression may be one of the intrinsic mechanisms of this self-repair process.

Objective:To confirm the effect of fluid with different viscosity on the normal biomechanical sequence of oropharyngeal swallowing in healthy males.Methods:Fifteen healthy male subjects [(27.7±1.8) years old] were recruited from November 2011 to February 2012 and instructed to swallow 15 ml of water (W), nectar-like fluid (N), and honey-like fluid (H) in an upright sitting position. The sensing system was consisted of tongue pressure sensor sheet, bend sensor, surface electrodes and microphone. They were used to monitor tongue pressure, hyoid activity, surface electromyography (EMG) of swallowing-related muscles and swallowing sound, respectively. The swallowing sound was chosen as the reference time. The significance of biomechanical sequence of structural events was determined by repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results:When swallowing liquid of any consistency, hyoid premotor and suprahyoid muscle electromyography (EMG) appeared synchronously ( P>0.05), followed by the simultaneous appearances of hyoid rapid movement, peak time of suprahyoid muscle EMG, onset of infrahyoid muscle EMG, and anterior tongue pressure production ( P>0.05). The peak time of infrahyoid muscle EMG was very close to the peak time of anterior tongue pressure ( P>0.05), and both of them were earlier than the time that the hyoid reaching the highest position ( P<0.05). At last, the time that the hyoid departing the highest position was synchronized with the disappearances of suprahyoid muscle EMG, infrahyoid muscle EMG, and tongue pressure ( P>0.05). The tongue pressure production and peak time of tongue pressure arose from anterior to posterior along the midline of hard palate during normal swallowing, with the significances for tongue pressure production between the anterior site and the middle site (W: P=0.035, N: P=0.027, H: P=0.013) as well as the anterior site and the posterior site (W: P<0.001, N: P<0.001, H: P<0.001), while the appearance and peak time of the circumferential tongue pressure were very close ( P>0.05). The increase of fluid viscosity did not affect the biomechanical sequence of the above structural physiological movements during normal swallowing. There were statistically significant differences between the hyoid premotor and the onset of suprahyoid muscle EMG when swallowing the honey-like liquid [(-1.03±0.47) and (-0.90±0.50) s] and water[(-0.87±0.32) and (-0.74±0.31) s] ( P<0.001). Among the delayed structural events, except for the onset of infrahyoid muscle EMG and the tongue pressure production on the anterior site ( P>0.05), the occurrences of all the parameters in swallowing honey-like fluid were significantly later than those in swallowing water (onset of hyoid rapid movement, P=0.007; time of hyoid reaching the highest position, P=0.034; time of hyoid departing the highest position, P=0.041; offset of hyoid movement, P=0.035; peak time of suprahyoid muscle EMG: P=0.040; offset of suprahyoid muscle EMG, P=0.014; peak time of infrahyoid muscle EMG: P=0.042; offset of infrahyoid muscle EMG, P=0.028; peak time of Ch.1: P=0.045; offset of Ch.1: P=0.012; onset of Ch.2: P=0.038; peak time of Ch.2: P=0.009; offset of Ch.2: P=0.034; onset of Ch.3: P=0.043; peak time of Ch.3: P=0.011; offset of Ch.3: P=0.026;onset of Ch.4: P=0.040; peak time of Ch.4: P=0.038; offset of Ch.4: P=0.033; onset of Ch.5: P=0.046; peak time of Ch.5: P=0.028; offset of Ch.5: P<0.001), but not for those between nectar-like fluid and honey-like fluid ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The alteration of fluid viscosity did not affect healthy male biomechanical sequence of tongue, hyoid and swallowing-related muscles during normal swallowing. The biomechanics of the oropharyngeal structures is physiologically regulated with the alteration of fluid viscosity to ensure swallowing safely and smoothly.

Objective:To evaluate partial splenectomy (LPS) in the treatment of benign solid tumors of the spleen.Methods:The clinical data of patients with benign solid tumors of spleen treated by laparoscopy from Jan 2010 to Jun 2018 in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University was retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into LPS group and laparoscopic total splenectomy (LTS) group.Results:There were 21 cases in LPS group and 25 cases in LTS group. Differences between the two groups, operative time, blood loss, transfusion rate, maintenance of drain, postoperative hospital stay, costs, postoperative WBC and platelet count, and postoperative complications such as hemorrhage, fever, splenic fossa effusion, pancreatic fistula, venous thrombosis were statistically insignificant. However, the postoperative incidence of thrombocythemia in the LPS group were significantly lower compared to the LTS group (χ 2 =4.293, P<0.05). Conclusions:Patients with benign solid tumors of the spleen will benefit more from LPS compared to LTS.

Objective To evaluate the effect of hydrogen on mitochondrial fusion during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in aged rats.Methods One hundred and fifty pathogen-free healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 18 months old,weighing 400-500 g,were divided into 5 groups (n=30 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),sham operation group (group S),group I/R,normal saline group (group NS) and hydrogen-rich saline group (group H).Group C received no treatment.The anterior descending branch was only exposed but not ligated in group S.Myocardial I/R was induced by occlusion of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery for 30 rmin followed by reperfusion in I/R,NS and H groups.Hydrogen-rich saline 1 ml/100 g was injected intraperitoneally at 5 min before reperfusion in group H,while normal saline 1 ml/100 g was injected intraperitoneally at 5 min before reperfusion in group NS.The rats were sacrificed at 12 and 24 h of reperfusion,and hearts were removed for examination of the pathological changes and for determination of apoptosis in cardiomyocytes (by TUNEL) and expression of Mfn1 and Mfn2 protein and mRNA in myocardial tissues (by Western blot or real-time polymerase chain reaction).The apoptosis index was calculated.Results Compared with C and S groups,the apoptosis index of cardiomyocytes was significantly increased and the expression of Mfn1 and Mfn2 protein and mRNA in myocardial tissues was down-regulated at 12 and 24 h of reperfusion in I/R,NS and H groups (P＜0.05).Compared with NS and I/R groups,the apoptosis index of cardiomyocytes was significantly decreased and the expression of Mfn1 and Mfn2 protein and mRNA in myocardial tissues was up-regulated at 12 and 24 h of reperfusion in group H (P＜0.05).The pathological changes of myocardial tissues were significantly attenuated in group H when compared with group I/R.Conclusion The mechanism by which hydrogen attenuates myocardial I/R injury is related to promoting mitochondrial fusion and inhibiting apoptosis in cardiomyocytes of aged rats.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth with different thickness of ferrule by mechanical fatigue test and static loading test, and so as to provide a reference for the clinical treatment planning. Methods: Fifty bovine incisors were divided into 5 groups by random number table method (n=10). Group A was the control group in which the incisors were prepared without a ferrule design (0 mm). The other four groups (B, C, D, E) were experimental groups, and the thickness of the dentin ferrule prepared for specimens in each group was 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm. The height of ferrules in all the specimens was 2 mm. Cyclic fatigue loading (2.33 Hz, 50 N) was applied on each specimen until either the specimen was dislodged/fractured or the 300 000 cycles were finished. After fatigue loading, the mode of failure was observed. Those intact specimen after fatigue loading were tested under a gradually increasing force using a universal testing machine (0.05 mm/min) until fracture occurred. The forces required to fracture and failure model was recorded. Results: The results of cyclic loading tests showed that: all specimens survived the 300 000 cycles of intermittent loading. The results of static loading tests showed that: the fracture force of A, B, C, D and E groups respectively were (226.4±67.7), (369.7±34.5), (400.7±48.2), (528.1±56.3), and (555.4±98.5) N (F=15.227, P=0.000). There was a significant difference in fracture resistance between group A and the other four groups, and between group B, C and group D, E (P<0.05). No statistical difference were found in fracture resistance among the other groups (P>0.05). There was strong correlation between the thickness of ferrule and the fracture force by Pearson correlation analysis (r=0.973, P=0.002). Conclusions Within the limitations of this study, the following conclusions can be drawn: The different thickness of ferrule can influence the fracture resistance of the teeth, and when the height of the ferrule is 2.0 mm, the fracture force increased significantly with an increasing ferrule thickness.

Objective To investigate the assessment of multi-detector spiral CT on the cardiac function after bioprosthetic valve replacement with mitral valve preservation.Methods Thirty-five patients suitable for undergoing bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement in our hospital from May 2012 to February 2014 were randomly divided into 2 groups:group A(experimental group,intraoperative preservation of mitral valve and subvalvular structure during,n=16) and group B (control group,without intraoperative preservation of subvalvular structure of mitral valve,n=19).MDCT before operation and on postoperative 10 d was performed for evaluating the left ventricular function.Results In the comparison of preoperative MDCT,the end diastolic velocity(EDV),end systolic velocity(ESV),ejection fraction(EF) and stroke volume(SV) had no statistical difference between the group A and B.In MDCT results on postoperative 10 d,EDV,ESV and EF in the group A were 113.42±9.22)mL,(38.63±3.40)mL and (51.63±4.71) ％,which in the group B were(113.42 ± 9.22) mL,(38.63 ± 3.40) mL and (51.63 ± 4.71) ％ respectively,the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05),but SV had no statistical difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion The bioprosthetic valve replacement with mitral valve preservation is safe and feasible in technology,moreover effectively protects the postoperative left ventricular function.