[Influence of paper mixing pads thickness on the compressive strength of glass ionomer cement].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of the thickness of mixed cardboard on the compressive strength of glass ionomer cement and the associated factors. METHODS: Three different types of glass ionomer cements were mixed on the top of 60, 40, 20 and 1 pieces of paper (P60, P40, P20 and P1), respectively. The compressive strength of the materials was tested after solidification, and the bubble rate was calculated with the assistance of scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: (1) Compressive strength: ① ChemFil Superior glass ionomer (CF): The average compressive strength of P1 group was the highest, which was significantly different from that of P40 and P60 groups (P values were 0.041 and 0.032 respectively); ② To Fuji IX GP glass ionomer (IX): The average compressive strength of P1 group was the highest, which was statistically different from that of P40 and P60 groups (P values were 0.042 and 0.038 respectively); ③ Glaslonomer FX-Ⅱ glass ionomer cement (FX): The average compressive strength of P1 group was the highest, which was statistically different from that of P20, P40 and P60 groups (P values were 0.031, 0.040 and 0.041 respectively), but there was no statistical difference among the other groups. All the three materials showed that the compressive strength of glass ions gradually increased with the decrease of the thickness of the blended paperboard, and the two materials had a highly linear negative correlation, the correlation coefficients of which were CF-0.927, IX-0.989, FX-0.892, respectively. (2) Scanning electron microscope: P1 group had the least bubbles among the three materials. CONCLUSION: It indicates that the thickness of mixed cardboard has a negative correlation with the compressive strength of glass ions. The thicker the mixed cardboard is, the greater the elasticity is. Excessive elasticity will accelerate the mixing speed when the grinding glass ions. Studies have shown that the faster the speed of artificial mixing is, the more bubbles is produced.The thicker ther mixed cardboard is, the more bubblesn are generated by glass ionomer cement, and the higher the compressive strength is. Using one piece of paper board to mix glass ionomer cement has the least bubbles and can obtain higher compressive strength.

[Retrospectively analysis of characteristics and risk factors of immune treatment-related hepatic adverse events in malignant tumor].

Objective: To explore the clinical features and risk factors of hepatic injury due to immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) therapy in malignant tumor. Methods: Data of 112 patients (64 men and 48 women) who received CPI between January 2016 and March 2019 in Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Shenzhen Hospital, and Huazhong University of Science and Techology Union Shenzhen Hospital were retrospectively collected. The median age of these patients was 60 years. Results: Hepatic adverse events were observed in 30 patients out of 112 patients (26.8%). Among them, the incidence of grade 3-5 hepatic adverse events were 7.14% (8/112). The median time of hepatic adverse event occurrence was 3 weeks (2-30) after undergoing therapy. The results of univariate and multivariate analyses showed that liver cancer was attributed to the CPI induced hepatitis (P<0.05). Patients with severe hepatic injury got almost complete resolution after receiving methlprednisolone for 4 to 6 weeks. Conclusion: Live cancer is the risk factor of CPI-related hepatic adverse events.

[Influence of different mixing pads on physical and mechanical properties of glass ionomer cement].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influence of different mixing pads on the physical and mechanical properties of glass ionomer cement. METHODS: Three different glass ionomer base cements were mixed with a plastic spatula on three different mixing pads including paper pad, glass pad and silicon pad whose HS were 40, 60 and 80. The GIC was packed into stainless steel molds to get specimens. Surface roughness, surface hardness and compressive strength were evaluated. RESULTS: As for compressive strength, CF: There was the highest mean compressive strength that was significantly higher than those of silicon pad 60 group, paper 60 group and paper 20 group in silicon pad 40 group, the differences P values were 0.002, 0.027, and 0.036, statistically significant difference between the above groups (P<0.05). IX: there was the highest mean compressive strength that was significantly higher than those of silicon pad 60 group in paper pad 20 group,the differences P value was 0.008, statistically significant (P<0.05). FX: there was the highest mean compressive strength that was no significantly higher than those of paper pad 20 group in silicon pad 40 group, but was significantly higher than those of the other groups. As for surface hardness, CF: there was the highest mean surface hardness that was significantly higher than those of silicon pad 60 and 80 group, paper 60 group in silicon pad 40 group, the differences P value was 0.021, 0.001, 0.032, 0.008 and 0.016, statistically significant difference between the above groups (P<0.05). IX and FX: there was no statistical significance between any two groups in surface hardness. As for surface roughness, CF: there was no statistical significance between any two groups in surface roughness. IX: there was the lowest mean surface roughness that was significantly lower than those of paper pad 40 and 60 group in glass pad group, the differences P values were 0.003 and 0.027, statistically significant difference between the above groups (P<0.05). FX: there was the lowest mean surface roughness that was significantly lower than those of paper pad 60 group in glass pad group, the differences P value was 0.018, showing a statistical difference (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Mixing glass ionomer cement on silicon pad 40 results in higher compressive strength and lower surface roughness, worthy of clinical popularization.

3,6-dihydroxyflavone suppresses the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration and invasion in endometrial stromal cells by inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Endometriosis is a common disease in women of reproductive age. Characteristics of endometriosis include invasion, metastasis, and recurrence, which are similar to those of malignant tumors. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of endometriosis are still not clear. This study aims to explore the mechanism of 3,6-dihydroxyflavone (3,6-DHF) in the development of endometriosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Primary cultured ovarian ectopic endometrial stromal cells (OvESCs) were utilized as the in vitro model of endometriosis. OvESCs were treated with different concentrations of 3,6-DHF. The expressions of proteins related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and Notch signal pathway were detected by Western blot. The mRNA expressions of related genes were detected by quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The viability of treated cells was detected by transwell assay. The impact of 3,6-DHF on ectopic lesions was explored after the animal model of endometriosis was successfully established. RESULTS: With the increased concentration of 3,6-DHF in OvESCs, the protein and mRNA expressions of E-cadherin were gradually increased, while the protein and mRNA expressions of N-cadherin, Twist, Snail, and Slug were decreased. 3,6-DHF treatment inhibited the migration and invasion ability of OvESCs in a dose-dependent manner. In the endometriosis model of severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice, lesions in the 3,6-DHF treated group were significantly smaller than those of the control group. The same changes were found in the endometriosis model of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Protein expressions of Notch1, NICD, and Hes-1 in OvESCs were inhibited by 3,6-DHF in a dose-dependent manner. 3,6-DHF can inhibit the binding of NICD-CSL-MAML complex in OvESCs, thereby inhibiting the expressions of proteins related to Notch signaling pathway in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: 3,6-DHF can inhibit the development of EMT, migration, and invasion of endometrial stromal cells by inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway.

Alterations of immune functions induced by 12C6+ ion irradiation in mice.

PURPOSE: To estimate the biological risks to the immune system of the type of space radiation, 12C6+, encountered by cosmonauts during long-term travel in space. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Kun-Ming strain mice were whole-body irradiated by 12C6+ ion with 0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.075, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.75, 1 or 2 Gy, at a dose rate of 1 Gy/min. At 35 days after irradiation, the thymus and spleen weights were measured, the natural killer (NK) cells activity of spleen was determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), and the interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels in serum and thymus were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). RESULTS: The results showed that the thymus weight, IFN-gamma levels in serum and the activity of splenic NK-cells had significantly increased at a dose of 0.05 Gy. With further dose increase, the weight of spleen continued to increase but the weight of thymus, IFN-gamma level and NK-cells activity declined. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the dose of 0.05 Gy irradiation has a stimulatory effect on mouse immunity; this effect declined with increasing dose.

Survey of helminths in adult sheep in Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China.

The prevalence of helminths in adult sheep was investigated in Heilongjiang Province, People's Republic of China between January 1999 and September 2003. A total of 326 adult sheep representing local breeds (Xingjiang Fine Wool Sheep, Dongbei Fine Wool Sheep) as well as introduced breeds (Merino and Charollais) from representative geographical locations in Heilongjiang Province were slaughtered and examined for the presence of helminths. The worms were examined, counted and identified to species according to existing keys and descriptions. A total of 26 helminth species were found representing 2 phyla, 3 classes, 13 families and 20 genera. All sheep were infected by more than one helminth species. Oesophagostomum columbianum, Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis were the most common nematode species, and Paramphistomum cervi, Orientobilharzia turkestanica and Fasciola hepatica were the most common trematode species, whereas the infection of adult sheep with cestodes was uncommon. The results of the present investigation provide relevant "base-line" data for Heilongjiang Province, China, for assessing the effectiveness of future control strategies against helminth infections in sheep.