Spatial analysis and influencing factors of pulmonary tuberculosis among students in Nanning, during 2012-2018.

BACKGROUND: Economically underdeveloped areas in western China are hotspots of tuberculosis, especially among students. However, the related spatial and temporal patterns and influencing factors are still unclear and there are few studies to analyze the causes of pulmonary tuberculosis in students from the perspective of space. METHODS: We collected data regarding the reported incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) among students at township level in Nanning, from 2012 to 2018. The reported incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis among students in Nanning was analyzed using spatial autocorrelation and spatial scan statistical analysis to depict hotspots of PTB incidence and spatial and temporal clustering. Spatial panel data of the reported incidence rates and influencing factors at district and county levels in Nanning were collected from 2015 to 2018. Then, we analyzed the spatial effects of incidence and influencing factors using the spatial Durbin model to explore the mechanism of each influencing factor in areas with high disease prevalence under spatial effects. RESULTS: From 2012 to 2018, 1609 cases of PTB were reported among students in Nanning, with an average annual reported incidence rate of 14.84/100,000. Through the Joinpoint regression model, We observed a steady trend in the percentage of cases reported each year (P>0.05). There was spatial autocorrelation between the annual reported incidence and the seven-years average reported incidence from 2012 to 2018. The high-incidence area was distributed in the junction of six urban areas and spread to the periphery, with the junction at the center. The population of college students, per capita financial expenditure on health, per capita gross domestic product, and the number of health technicians per 1,000 population were all influencing factors in the reported incidence of PTB among students. CONCLUSION: We identified spatial clustering of the reported incidence of PTB among students in Nanning, mainly located in the urban center and its surrounding areas. The clustering gradually decreased from the urban center to the surrounding areas. Spatial effects influenced the reported incidence of PTB. The population density of college students, per capita health financial expenditure, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, and the number of health technicians per 1,000 were all influencing factors in the reported incidence of PTB among students.

[Application of a modified paramedian lower lip-submandibular approach in maxillary (subtotal) total resection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of a modified paramedian lower lip-submandibular approach for maxillary (subtotal) total resection. METHODS: Eleven patients of maxillary tumors underwent maxillary (subtotal) total resection through the modified paramedian lower lip-submandibular approach. Clinical follow-up visits were conducted to evaluate appearance restoration, facial nerve functional status, parotid gland functional status, and orbital region complication. RESULTS: During the follow-up period of 6-36 months, the appearance of all 11 patients recovered well. All cases presented hidden scars. No facial nerve and parotid duct injury, lower eyelid edema, lower eyelid ectropion, or epiphora in all cases was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Applying modified paramedian lower lip-submandibular approach to maxillary (subtotal) total resection effectively reduces incidence of orbital region complications including lower eyelid edema, lower eyelid ectropion, and epiphora, which often occur to traditional approach. The modified approach produces more subtle scars than other methods and should be applied to treatment of maxillary (subtotal) total resection.

[Precise investigation of digital guide plates applied to implant surgery of anterior teeth].

OBJECTIVE: To study the precision of digital guide plates applied to the implant surgery of anterior teeth. METHODS: Fifty patients scheduled to receive implant restoration treatment in anterior teeth were enrolled in this study and divided into two groups (n=25, each group): those who were given routine implant restoration treatment (control group, 45 implants) and those who received implant restoration treatment using a digital guide plate (test group, 51 implants). After implantation, planned and placed implants were superimposed using digital software, and deviations (corona, apex, depth, degree) were analyzed. Esthetic parameters were assessed at 1 week (baseline), 6 month, and 1 year post final restoration. Pink esthetic (PES) and white esthetic (WES) scores were respectively used to evaluate the soft tissue and restoration esthetic outcome. RESULTS: The deviation parameters in the test group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). PES and WES values recorded for the control group at 1 week, 6 month, and 1 year post final restoration were significantly lower than those in the test group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The digital guide plate can improve the accuracy of the three-dimensional position of implants in the maxillary esthetic zone. As such, this device may play an important role in obtaining the ideal aesthetic effects of maxillary anterior teeth.

Inhibition of expression of hepatitis C virus 1b genotype core and NS4B genes in HepG2 cells using artificial microRNAs.

The present study aimed to evaluate the silencing effect of artificial microRNAs (amiRNAs) against the hepatitis C virus (HCV) 1b (HCV1b) genotype core (C) and non-structural protein 4B (NS4B) genes. pDsRed-monomer-Core and pDsRed-monomer-NS4B plasmids, containing the target genes were constructed. A total of eight artificial micro RNA (amiRNA)-expressing plasmids, namely, pmiRE-C-mi1 to -mi4 and pmiRE-NS4B-mi1 to -mi4, were designed and constructed to interfere with various sites of the core and NS4B genes, and the amiRNA interfering plasmid and the corresponding target gene-expressing plasmid were co-transfected into HepG2 cells. At 48 h after transfection, HCV core and NS4B gene expression levels were detected using fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that the target gene-transfected cells expressed red fluorescent protein, whereas the interfering plasmid-transfected cells exhibited expression of green fluorescent protein. The percentage of red fluorescent proteins and mean fluorescence intensity, as well as protein expression levels of the core and NS4B genes within the cells, which were co-transfected by the amiRNA interfering plasmid and the target gene, were significantly decreased. The results of the present study confirmed that amiRNAs may effectively and specifically inhibit the expression of HCV1b core and NS4B genes in HepG2 cells, potentially providing a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of HCV.