Chlorhexidine spray as an adjunct in the control of dental biofilm in children with special needs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of .12% chlorhexidine applied via spray and the acceptance. A total of 26 individuals with mental health issues, aged 7–14, were included into two groups: placebo (control, n = 13) and chlorhexidine (experimental, n = 13). Both groups received two daily applications of spray during 2 months. The periodontal conditions were evaluated by the simplified oral hygiene index (OHI‐S) and gingival index (GI). The evaluation of acceptance of the application method (spray) was assessed by questionnaire. Data were analyzed with nonparametric tests, with a significance level of 5%. Regarding the OHI‐S index, only the experimental group showed significant change during the evaluations (p < 0.001). Regarding the GI, both groups showed significant changes during the evaluations. The method of application was well accepted by patients and caregivers, and .12% chlorhexidine solution applied via spray significantly reduced the rates of dental and gingival biofilm.     

Qingre Quyu Granule(清热祛瘀颗粒)Stabilizes Plaques through Inhibiting the Expression of Tenascin-C in Patients with Severe Carotid Stenosis

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effects of Qingre Quyu Granule(清热祛瘀颗粒,QQG)on the patients with severe carotid stenosis,and to explore the mechanism of it.Methods:Ninety-six patients with severe carotid stenosis were enrolled in the study and were classified into a QQG group(n=48) and a control group(n=48) randomly using consecutively numbered envelopes.The patients in the QQG group were given QQG and Western medicine,those in the control group were given Western medicine merely,the course of treatment was 16 weeks.All patients went through endarterectomy after treatment.Plaques were subjected to the analysis of CD3,CD68,soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1(ICAM-1),matrix metalloprotease-9(MMP-9),CD40 L,tenascin-C,and collagen content lipid content by immunohistochemistry or polarized light analysis.Results:By the end of experiment,the expressions of CD3,CD68,ICAM-1,MMP9,CD40 L and tenascin-C on the plaques were statistically significant lower in the QQG group compared with the control group(P0.01).The lipid content of the plaque was also significantly lower in the QQG group compared with the control group(P0.01).The interstitial collagen in the tissue sections of the plaques was also significantly higher in the QQG group in comparison with the control group(P0.01).Conclusion:QQG could stabilize carotid artery plaques through inhibiting pro-inflammation factors and restraining the tenascin-C and MMP9 pathway.     

Risk prediction of cerebrovascular events with carotid plaque magnetic resonance analysis: A meta-analysis

Background and purpose

It is not conclusive that magnetic resonance (MR)-based carotid atherosclerotic plaque assessment identifies high-risk features associated with cerebrovascular events. We aimed to systematically summarize the association of MR imaging (MRI)-determined intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), and thinning/rupture of the fibrous cap (TRFC) with subsequent ischemic events.

整脊推拿结合化痰祛瘀方治疗颈源性眩晕伴颈动脉斑块43例

目的:观察整脊推拿结合中药化痰祛瘀方治疗颈源性眩晕伴颈动脉斑块的的效果及安全性。方法:伴有颈动脉斑块的颈源性眩晕患者按随机数字表法分为两组,对照组45例采用基础治疗联合中药化痰祛瘀方,观察组43例在对照组基础上结合整脊推拿干预,治疗后统计比较两组眩晕指征和血脂改善情况。结果:治疗后两组患者眩晕、耳鸣、恶心欲呕、头痛、视力障碍、猝倒发作、颈项不适、反应迟钝等症状的恢复率比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);治疗结束后观察组的总有效率为95.35%,明显优于对照组的77.78%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);疗程结束后两组患者血脂均较治疗前有所改善(P<0.05),观察组中的总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL)明显低于对照组,高密度脂蛋白(HDL)明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),但三酰甘油(TG)和对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P> 0.05)。结论:整脊推拿结合化痰祛瘀方治疗颈源性眩晕伴颈动脉斑块,在改善眩晕相关指征和血脂方面疗效较好。     

Are risk factors necessary for pretest probability assessment of coronary artery disease? A patient similarity network analysis of the PROMISE trial

BackgroundPretest probability (PTP) calculators utilize epidemiological-level findings to provide patient-level risk assessment of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). However, their limited accuracies question whether dissimilarities in risk factors necessarily result in differences in CAD. Using patient similarity network (PSN) analyses, we wished to assess the accuracy of risk factors and imaging markers to identify ≥50% luminal narrowing on coronary CT angiography (CCTA) in stable chest-pain patients.MethodsWe created four PSNs representing: patient characteristics, risk factors, non-coronary imaging markers and calcium score. We used spectral clustering to group individuals with similar risk profiles. We compared PSNs to a contemporary PTP score incorporating calcium score and risk factors to identify ≥50% luminal narrowing on CCTA in the CT-arm of the PROMISE trial. We also conducted subanalyses in different age and sex groups.ResultsIn 3556 individuals, the calcium score PSN significantly outperformed patient characteristic, risk factor, and non-coronary imaging marker PSNs (AUC: 0.81 vs. 0.57, 0.55, 0.54; respectively, p ?< ?0.001 for all). The calcium score PSN significantly outperformed the contemporary PTP score (AUC: 0.81 vs. 0.78, p ?< ?0.001), and using 0, 1–100 and ?> ?100 cut-offs provided comparable results (AUC: 0.81 vs. 0.81, p ?= ?0.06). Similar results were found in all subanalyses.ConclusionCalcium score on its own provides better individualized obstructive CAD prediction than contemporary PTP scores incorporating calcium score and risk factors. Risk factors may not be able to improve the diagnostic accuracy of calcium score to predict ≥50% luminal narrowing on CCTA.     

温阳散瘀方联合贝前列素钠片治疗下肢动脉粥样硬化性闭塞症的临床研究

目的观察温阳散瘀方辅助贝前列素钠片治疗下肢动脉粥样硬化性闭塞症的效果。方法采用简单随机抽样方法从2016年3月至2018年4月于该院接受诊治的下肢动脉粥样硬化性闭塞症患者中选取86例纳入研究,依据随机数字表法进行分组,对照组43例患者接受贝前列素钠片治疗,研究组43例患者接受温阳散瘀方联合贝前列素钠片治疗,治疗6周后评价两组临床疗效,测定两组患者血脂水平、踝肱指数(ABI)、6min步行试验(6-MWT)、无痛行走距离、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)以及血液流变学相关指标。结果研究组临床总有效率(88.37%)明显高于对照组(69.77%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗后两组患者总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)水平均明显下降(P<0.05),且组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗后研究组ABI、6-MWT、无痛行走距离和hs-CRP水平均明显优于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后两组血液流变学相关指标均明显下降(P<0.05),且组间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论温阳散瘀方辅助贝前列素钠片应用于下肢动脉粥样硬化性闭塞症的临床治疗,在平衡血脂水平、改善血液流变学相关指标方面效果明显,可有效改善ABI、6-MWT、无痛行走距离和hs-CRP等指标,增进疗效。     

The association of metabolic health obesity with incidence of carotid artery plaque in Chinese adults

Background and aimsWe aimed to evaluate the association between different obese phenotypes with carotid artery plaque (CAP) event.Method and resultsThe current retrospective cohort study was performed in 32,778 Chinese adults (19,221 men and 13,557 women, aged 41.9 ± 11.0 years). Obese phenotypes were assessed based on baseline body mass index (<24.0 vs. ≥24.0 kg/m²) and metabolic characteristics (health vs. unhealth). All the participants were further classified into four groups: metabolic health and normal weight (MHNW), metabolic unhealth and normal weight (MUHNW), metabolic health and overweight (MHO), and metabolic unhealth and overweight (MUHO). Ultrasound B-mode imaging was annually performed to evaluate CAP throughout the study. We have identified 2142 CAP cases during 5-year follow-up. Comparing with the MHNW group, the hazard ratios for the risk of incident CAP was 2.44 (95% CI:1.92 and 3.09) for the MUHNW group, 1.52 (95% CI:1.06 and 2.18) for the MHO group, and 1.8 (95% CI:1.4 and 2.33) for the MUHO group. The association was more pronounced in young adults (<65 y) than that in aged adults (≥65 y). Sensitivity analysis generated similar results with the main analysis.ConclusionMUHNW, MHO, and MUHO were associated with the risk of CAP.