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Xiong Xiao,1 Guoliang Chai,2 Baoguo Wang,3 Fang Luo4 1Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Imaging Department, Beijing Puhua International Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Anesthesia, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Pain Management, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Fang Luo, Department of Pain Management, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, &num;119, West Road of the South Fourth Ring, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100070, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86 10 59976667, Email 13611326978@163.comPurpose: To determine the effectiveness and safety of venlafaxine in treating persistent idiopathic dentoalveolar pain (PIDP).Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort comprising 129 patients with a definite diagnosis of PIDP, who were treated with venlafaxine between May 2020 and December 2022 at three different institutions. Baseline characteristics were statistically described, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores before and during treatment were collected. The percentage of pain relief was calculated. Differences in baseline characteristics between responsive and unresponsive patients were evaluated. Additionally, side effects experienced during treatment were also summarized.Results: Among the included patients, 4 suffered immediate side effects following the initial dose of venlafaxine and the treatment was discontinued. 104 (80.6%) patients achieved pain relief. VAS scores of responsive patients at weeks 2, and months 1, 2, and 3 were significantly lower than baseline (p< 0.001). Duration of pain was the only factor related to responsiveness (Wilcoxon rank sum test p< 0.001, logistic regression p=0.001). 64 patients (49.6%) suffered from mild side effects. No serious side effects were observed during the study.Conclusion: Venlafaxine is potentially effective and safe in the management of PIDP. Early application of venlafaxine following the diagnoses of PIDP can result in a higher possibility of pain relief.Keywords: venlafaxine, persistent idiopathic dentoalveolar pain, effectiveness, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, pain management

Xiong Xiao,1 Lei Jiang,2 Longjun Liu,3 Guoliang Chai,4 Fang Luo5 1Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Anesthesia, Beijing Fengtai Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Pain Management, Beijing Red Cross Peace Orthopedic Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 4Imaging Department, Beijing Puhua International Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 5Department of Pain Management, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Fang LuoDepartment of Pain Management, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, #119 West Road of the South Fourth Ring, Fengtai District, Beijing 100070, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 10 67096664Fax +86 10 67050177Email 13671182231@163.comPurpose: To explore the challenges faced in the diagnosis and treatment of atypical odontalgia (AO) and other persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP).Patients and Methods: This retrospective multi-centric cross-sectional study utilized clinical information (eg, clinical manifestations, history of consultations and treatments prior to correct diagnoses) from patients’ medical records. Their economic parameters were also extracted from medical insurance databases. Each variable collected was statistically analyzed. Differences of variables between AO and other PIFP were statistically tested.Results: A total of 394 patients were included in this study. On average, the diagnostic delay was 34.8± 14.2 months, a median of 7 consultations were performed prior to a correct diagnosis, and 5 ineffective prescriptions were issued. Patients with AO suffered from longer diagnostic delays than patients with other PIFP (38.4± 14.3 months vs 31.6± 13.4 months) and were more likely to receive invasive dental treatments (73.3% vs 4.3%). The median total cost of treatment for a single patient before correct diagnosis was 8506.3 yuan. Patients with AO spent more than patients with other PIFP (10,146.5 Yuan vs 3864.0 Yuan).Conclusion: Patients with PIFP were frequently misdiagnosed and the length of diagnostic delay was observed to be long. Ineffective medications, unwarranted procedures, and unnecessary economic burden were imposed on the patients. Patients with AO are in a worse situation than patients with other PIFP. As significantly urgent and unsatisfactory results of misdiagnosis of PIFP have been reported in our study, more attention should be paid on the research and education in this field.Keywords: persistent idiopathic facial pain, atypical odontalgia, misdiagnosis, suboptimal treatment, economic burden

Guangrui Chai,1 Shu Liu,2 Hongwei Yang,1 Guoqiang Du,3 Xiaolong Chen1 1Department of Ophthalmology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Geratology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Otolaryngology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Xiaolong Chen Email chenxl@sj-hospital.orgBackground: Inflammation and angiogenesis are the two dominant mechanisms of diabetic retinopathy (DR), which act more as mutual pathways rather than individual processes. However, the underlying mechanism of their interactions is still unclear. Here, we explored the potential crossing points between these pathways and the targeted therapeutic method in rats with DR.Materials and Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: normal control group, streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) group, DM+shNC (non-specific negative control shRNA) group, and DM+shNLRP3 group. Silencing the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) protein was performed by intravitreal injections of NLRP3-targeted shRNA (shNLRP3) for rats in the DM+shNLRP3 group. All the rats’ retinas were collected for further morphological examination and pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic cytokine detection. Human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) were also employed to explore the underlying mechanism.Results: NLRP3-targeted shRNA given by intravitreal injection effectively alleviated the retinal histopathological changes in STZ-induced diabetic rats, which reduced the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and suppressed the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and inflammatory cytokines in diabetic rats’ retinas. In HRECs, NLRP3 over-expressing plasmid evoked an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines and VEGF. In addition, YC-1, a HIF-1α inhibitor, could reverse the NLRP3 over-expression-induced VEGF production but not the pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions.Conclusion: Our results suggest NLRP3 inflammasome as the potential cross-point between inflammation and pro-angiogenesis in DR and support the effectiveness of NLRP3-targeted shRNA administrated by intravitreal injection in animal models of DR. The protective effect of NLRP3-targeted shRNA may stem from the inhibition of both pro-inflammatory cytokines and HIF-1α/VEGF axis.Keywords: NLRP3 inflammasome, inflammation, angiogenesis, VEGF, diabetic retinopathy

We report on the transport of energetic electrons through single, well aligned multi-wall carbon nanotubes (CNT). Embedding of CNTs in a protective carbon fiber coating enables the application of focused ion beam based sample preparation techniques for the non-destructive isolation and alignment of individual tubes. Aligned tubes with lengths of 0.7 to 3 mu m allow transport of 300 keV electrons in a transmission electron microscope through their hollow cores at zero degree incident angles and for a misalignment of up to 1 degree.

Alleima 3R60TM is an AISI 316/316 L type of stainless steel. This alloy shows extra-long creep lives. At 700°C with an applied stress of 45 MPa, the specimen broke first after 240 131 hours, a 140% longer creep life than the predicted. The reasons have been studied using SEM/EDS, EBSD, ECCI and TEM. Two unexpected phenomena have been observed. One is the presence of homogeneously dispersed small Mo2Fe4CrSi(Ni0.5)f063type of precipitates in the matrix. According to the thermodynamic calculation, this phase should not form in this alloy at 700°C. The other is the fine grains formed in the matrix during the creep-testing at 700°C for such an extra-long time. It is believed that both small precipitates and fine grain size contribute to this extra-long creep life of the steel. With the microstructural study and thermodynamic simulation, the mechanisms to form precipitates and fine grains have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For heat resistant alloys, long-term structural stability at high temperatures is a critical issue for alloy design and applications. In this paper, the long-term creep behaviours and structural stabilities of six heat resistant high Ni alloys and austenitic stainless steels have been studied. The longest creep rupture life is up to 359 283 hours. High Ni and Cr alloys show a good combination of high creep and oxidation resistances. Precipitation of nano MX particles with a very low growth rate improves long-term creep resistance at high temperatures. Long-term stable multiple nanoprecipitates of MX, Cu-rich, Laves and M23C6 phases can greatly contribute to the creep strength. Low Ni austenitic stainless steels show comparatively low oxidation and creep resistances. It was first found that at 800°C, Cr2N could form in the low Ni steel with a long-term crept by the absorption of nitrogen from the air into the matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we collected the seismic phase arrival data (115°–120°E, 34°–39°N) of 2,833 local natural earthquakes above magnitude 1.0 recorded by 128 seismograph stations provided by the China Earthquake Networks Center covering the period from January 2008 to October 2023. We extracted the first arrival P- and S-wave arrival time data and obtained 26,351 P- and 26,349 S-wave absolute arrival times and 99,627 P-differential and 99,625 S-differential arrival times. Then, we determined 3-D P and S wave velocity structures under the Luxi region by using the double-difference tomography method. The results show lateral heterogeneities under the Luxi region, and the distribution of surface basins and uplift zones is associated with seismic velocities within the crust. The vertical section shows the widespread presence of vertical high-velocity bodies within the crust of the Luxi region, indicating seismological evidence of mantle upwelling in the region. Meanwhile, our imaging results also clearly indicate the presence of a significant low-velocity anomaly at depths of 13–17 km, which corresponds to the presence of a high-conductivity layer at that depth obtained from electromagnetic bathymetry. The transition zone between high and low velocities exists at a depth of 7–13 km, which plays an important role in the transfer of lithospheric stresses from the deep to the shallow part of the lithosphere. Combined with the results of the previous deep seismic wave velocity structure, petrology, and geological investigations, the deep dynamical background of the formation of slip tectonics and seismic mechanism in the Luxi area can be attributed to the go-slip activity of the Tan-Lu fault Zone, the subduction of the Pacific Plate, and the magmatism generated by mantle upwelling.

This study aimed to investigate the long-term clinical outcomes and toxicities of induction chemotherapy (IC) followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) vs. CCRT alone in patients with non-operable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

ObjectivesIn order to master the deep peak shaving capability of supercritical circulating fluidized bed units and scientifically participate in the auxiliary service market, it is necessary to conduct in-depth research on the deep peak shaving performance of existing units.MethodsFrom the three dimensions of safety, economy and environmental protection, 40% and 30% of rated load continuous trial operation, boiler combustion optimization adjustment, boiler efficiency and steam turbine heat consumption rate performance tests were carried out, respectively.More than 10 optimization measures such as single pump operation of feed water pump, pressure curve optimization, boiler oxygen amount, bed pressure adjustment, etc., were implemented.ResultsThe continuous operation of 30% rated load for 12 consecutive days was realized, 40% and 30% rated load depth peak-monasizing the peaks affected coal consumption by about 52%, 72 g/(kW·h), respectively.ConclusionsThe 350 MW supercritical circulating fluidized bed unit has good deep peak shaving ability. There is no need to transform 30% rated load conditions, and inject oil to stabilize combustion and maintain high efficiency of the boiler. Monitoring parameters for the steam turbine generator unit body, thermal system and auxiliary equipment are normal. The main flue gas pollutants are ultra-low emission.