Search

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study was performed to evaluate whether the distal-triangular flap was a practical alternative surgical approach for extracting mandibular third molars. METHODS: Sixty participants with impacted mandibular third molars were randomly divided into three groups: group A, distal-triangular flap; group B, Szmyd flap; and group C, envelope flap. The impacted third molars were extracted by the corresponding flapping method. During a three-month follow-up observation after the extraction, the postoperative pain, swelling, mouth opening, and periodontal status were recorded and analyzed by ANOVA and chi-square tests. RESULTS: The 60 participants had successful extraction and 3-month follow-up observation. No participant suffered from postoperative infections, lower lip disorder, or tongue sensory disorders. No statistical differences were found in the postoperative symptoms and signs of the three flap designs, such as postoperative pain, swelling, mouth opening, and periodontal status (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The distal-triangular flap was as safe and reliable as the Szmyd and envelope flaps but more advantageous because of its convenient operative field exposure and low requirement for the patient's mouth opening. Thus, the distal-triangular flap is one of the alternative flap options for extracting impacted mandibular third molars.

Objective. To study the effects of 8-h simulated flight task on cognitive function and performance of volunteers, and to evaluate the workload of simulated flight. Methods. The subjects started the simulated flight at 9 am and continued to operate for 8 h to complete the simulated flight task. The flight control ability, reaction time, motion time, critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) and subjective scale were measured. Workload evaluation indicators were detected before, half and after the simulated flight. Results. There were no significant differences in reaction time, motion time, critical flicker fusion frequency and Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS) between before, half and after the simulated flight. Compared with preflight, the rating of perceived exertion scale (RPE) scores was significantly increased after 8-h simulated flight. There was no significant difference in the ability of simulated flight control between preflight and postflight. Conclusions. There was no significant effect on the cognitive function and performance of volunteers during the 8-h simulated flight task in the daytime.

Pyroptosis is closely related to inflammation. However, the molecular mechanisms and pathologic contributions of pyroptotic epithelial cell are not yet fully understood.This study aimed to explore the function and molecular mechanisms of IL-17A on human nasal epithelial cell (hNEC) pyroptosis.The expression of pyroptosis-related biomarkers and IL-17A was assessed in sinonasal mucosa from control individuals, patients with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps, and patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) by using quantitative RT-PCR. Their localization was analyzed via immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The ultrastructural characteristics of IL-17A-induced pyroptosis in hNECs were visualized by using electron microscopy. IL-17A functional assays were performed on hNECs and airway epithelial cell lines. Cytokine levels were quantified via ELISA. The signaling pathways involved in IL-17A-induced pyroptosis were studied via unbiased RNA sequencing and Western blotting.The expression of IL-17A and the pyroptotic biomarkers NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, gasdermin D, and IL-1β was increased in nasal mucosa from patients with CRSwNP compared with in those with chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps and the control subjects. IL-17A was positively correlated and colocalized with the pyroptotic biomarkers. IL-17A treatment induced pyroptosis in the hNECs and cell lines analyzed, primarily through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway, and increased IL-1β and IL-18 secretion in hNECs. Moreover, IL-17A-induced pyroptosis contributed to steroid resistance by affecting glucocorticoid receptor-α and glucocorticoid receptor-β expression, and the inhibition of pyroptotic proteins partially abolished IL-17A-induced steroid resistance in hNECs.Elevated IL-17A level promotes pyroptosis in hNECs through the ERK-NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway and contributes to glucocorticoid resistance by affecting glucocorticoid receptor homeostasis in patients with CRSwNP.

Inspired by the exciting physical/chemical properties in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) of the redox-active tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) ligands, nickel bis(dithiolene-dibenzoic acid), [Ni(C

Artificial smart materials with switchable multifunctionality are of immense interest owing to their wide application in sensors, displays and memory devices. Lanthanide complexes are promising multifunctional materials integrating optical and magnetic characteristics. However, synergistic manipulation of different physical properties in lanthanide systems is still challenging. Herein we designed and synthesized a mononuclear complex [DyIII(SCN)3(depma)2(4-hpy)2] (1), which incorporates 9-diethylphosphonomethylanthracene (depma) as a photo-active component and 4-hydroxypyridine (4-hpy) as a polar component. This compound shows several unusual features: (a) reversible thermo-responsive phase transition associated with the order–disorder transition of 4-hpy and SCN−, which leads to thermochromic behavior and dielectric anomaly; (b) reversible photo-induced dimerization of anthracene groups, which leads to synergistic switching of luminescence, magnetic and dielectric properties. To our knowledge, compound 1 is the first example of lanthanide complexes that show stimuli-triggered synergistic and reversible switching of luminescence, magnetic and dielectric properties., [DyIII(SCN)3(depma)2(4-hpy)2] (1) shows reversible thermo-induced phase transition associated with thermochromism and dielectric anomaly and photo-induced dimerization with synergistic switching of luminescence, magnetic and dielectric properties.

Metal-organic frameworks containing responsive organic linkers are attractive for potential applications in sensors and molecular devices. Herein we report three cobalt(II) phosphonates incorporating responsive dianthracene linkers, namely, Co2 (amp2 H2 )2 (H2 O)4 ⋅ 6H2 O (MDAF-1), Co2 (amp2 )(H2 O)4 ⋅ 2H2 O (MDAF-2) and Co(amp2 H2 ) ⋅ 2H2 O ⋅ 0.5DMF (MDAF-3), where amp2 H4 is pre-photodimerized 9-anthrylmethylphosphonic acid. MDAF-1 shows a layer structure in which dinuclear Co2 (PO3 H)2 units are inter-connected by dianthracene ligands. In MDAF-2 and MDAF-3, inorganic chains of corner-sharing {CoO4 } (or {CoO6 }) and {PO3 C} are cross-linked by dianthracene ligands into 3D frameworks. All compounds underwent thermo-induced phase transitions, first the de-solvation and then the de-dimerization of dianthracene (as well as the release of the remaining solvent molecules for MDAF-2 and -3), associated with magnetic changes. MDAF-1 can be exfoliated into single-layer nanosheets in water which show light-triggered luminescent changes.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to explore the innervation of the anterior hard palatine and its relationship with individual development stage. Specifically, the effects of anesthesia on patients of different ages were observed, and neurodevelopment in the maxillofacial region was invesitgated. References that are helpful in selecting local anesthesia were provided. METHODS: A total of 182 patients with mixed dentition were randomly divided into the nasopalatine nerve block and greater palatine nerve block groups. Then, 219 patients with permanent dentition were divided into an adolescent group (13–18 years old) and adult group (over 19 years old), all of whom underwent bilateral greater palatine nerve block. Palatal mucosal pain sensation was tested pre- and post-anesthesia with Von Frey hairs. RESULTS: Among the children with mixed dentition, bilateral greater palatine nerve block tended to result in better anesthetic effects than nasopalatine nerve block (P0.05). The bilateral greater palatine nerve block was more effective in inducing an anesthestic effect in the anterior hard palatine in mixed dentition than in permanent dentition (over 13 years old; P

In recent years, sedimentation dredging has received extensive attention as an effective way to extend the life of reservoirs and to address the global shortage of sediment resources. Thus, sediment deposition analysis can inform reservoir sedimentation dredging. Based on a series of field data for 10 fixed sections observed over 6 years and two topographic observations in the Lushui Reservoir, Hubei Province in China since 1959, the characteristics of sediment deposition, including the amount, the longitudinal distribution, and the transverse distribution in different periods, were analyzed in this study. The results show that sedimentation mainly occurred within 15 km of the dam with an equal thickness along the wetted perimeter during the flood detention period. After the impoundment of the reservoir, sedimentation mainly occurred in the central 7 km section of the reservoir, which is about 15 km away from the dam. In addition, the main deposition is on the primary channel with a small amount on the beaches. In general, the sediment deposition of the Lushui Reservoir is not significant, accounting for only 4% of the total reservoir capacity. However, the siltation in the local reservoir sections is more prominent. Some measurements should be taken to control the sediment deposition to maintain the effective storage capacity of the reservoir, and four dredging zones were proposed based on the analysis.

Objective: To investigate the workload of 12 h simulated long-haul flight continuously across day and night. Methods: Six healthy male young volunteers, aged from 19 to 21 years, were trained in simulated flight and skilled in operating flight simulation software before the experiment. Subjects began the simulated flight every day at 20:00 and lasted for 12 h that ended at 8:00. Subjects flew for three consecutive days and slept at least 6 h during the day. Workload evaluation indicators were tested before and after simulated flights on the first, second, and third days, respectively. Reaction time (RT), motion time (MT), critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF), Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS), and rating of perceived exertion scale (RPE) were measured. Results: RT increased after simulated flights on the second and third days, but there was no significant difference between before and after flights. MT increased after the first and second days of simulated flight, but the difference was statistically significant only after the first day of flight. There was no significant difference in CFF between before and after three consecutive days of simulated flight. SSS and RPE scores were significantly increased after 12 h simulated flight for three consecutive days. Conclusions: 12 h simulated long-haul flight continuously across day and night could aggravate the flight workload and heavy fatigue.

Objective—to establish a digital bright spot flicker detection technology and make a principle prototype. Methods—the hardware part of the principle prototype of the digital bright spot scintillator includes the shell, eye mask, bright spot scintillation module, monitoring and imaging module and the host computer. The software system is embedded in the host computer, including the user information management module, parameter setting module, CFF measurement module, test data management module and system maintenance module. Results—the principle prototype is convenient for individual and group evaluation. The reliability of the detection results is improved by tracking the pupil of the tested personnel through the monitoring camera and eye movement tracking module, drawing the critical flash fusion frequency curve and real-time display. The detection results of 15 subjects show that the principle prototype is accurate, reliable and repeatable. Conclusions—the digital bright spot scintillator principle prototype has the advantages of high degree of automation, simple operation, accurate and good repeatability.

Four new p-aminobenzenesulfonate organotin complexes, [(n-Bu3Sn)(O3SC6H3-NH2-4)]n (1), [(n-Bu2Sn)4(O)2(OH)2(O3SC6H4-NH2-4)2] (2), [(Me2Sn)4(O)2(OH)2(O3SC6H4-NH2-4)2] (3) and [{(n-BuSn)12O14(OH)6}(O3SC6H4-NH2-4)2·3C4H8O2] (4·diox), were synthesized by reaction of p-aminobenzenesulfonic acid with tributyltin oxide, dibutyltin oxide, dimethyltin oxide and monobutyltin oxide, respectively. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR (1H, 13C, 119Sn) spectroscopy as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure of complex 1 reveals that it is a 1D zig-zag chain structure and further interlinked into a 2D network by intermolecular interaction (N-H⋯O). The structure analysis indicates that complexes 2 and 3 are the ladder-like structure including three alternate Sn2O2 rings, and further result in the formation of a 3D supramolecular architecture for 2 and a 2D supramolecular network for 3 by extensive hydrogen-bonding interactions (O-H⋯O, N-H⋯O). Complex 4 exhibits a dodecanuclear organooxotin cages, which are connected into a hydrogen-bonded 2D structure. Furthermore, complexes 1-4 were evaluated for their in vitro cytostatic activity against the human lung cancer cells (A549) and the human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG-2). The preliminary screen shows that organotin derivatives with increasing number n-butyl group exhibitsignificantly higher cytostatic activity, and much higher than methyl group.