Is the bond strength of zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate lower than that of lithium disilicate? - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This study systematically reviewed the literature to compare the bond strength of resin composites with that of zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) and lithium disilicate (LD). STUDY SELECTION: This review was structured based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) statement. This study was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42021256900). Studies were searched via PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases without language or publication year limits. In vitro studies that evaluated the bond strength of the resin composites to ZLS and LD were included. The risk of bias in all the included articles was evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using the Review Manager software (version 5.3, Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK). RESULTS: Of the 90 potentially related articles, the full texts of 16 articles were evaluated after screening. Finally, seven studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and meta-analysis. All the studies presented a medium risk of bias. The results showed no significant difference in bond strength between the ZLS and LD groups (P = 0.94, mean difference=0.08, and 95% confidence interval=-1.93 to 2.10). However, a significant difference was found in the subgroup analysis considering different types of aging treatments (P = 0.0008) and different types of bond strength tests (P < 0.00001). CONCLUSION: The bond strength of resin composites was found to be similar to that of ZLS and LD, but different aging treatments and bond strength tests exhibited varying effects on the bond strength.

The Value of Endoscopic Ultrasonography in the Endoscopic Resection of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the clinical value of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the endoscopic resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). METHODS: A retrospective study of 92 patients who were confirmed to have GISTs by endoscopic resection after EUS examination was conducted. The preoperative features of the EUS examination, ultrasound diagnosis, endoscopic resection methods, surgical procedures, complications, and complete degree of lesion resection were recorded. And 16 patients who were diagnosed by endoscopy and EUS and confirmed by surgical operation were included and analyzed in the subsequent part of the investigation (gastroscopy and EUS image analysis, EUS image and risk classification). RESULTS: The preoperative diagnosis rate of EUS and postoperative pathological diagnosis of GISTs was 78.7% (85/108), and the presence of a non-homogeneous echo and liquid anechoic zone in GISTs often indicated higher risk (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between tumor size and risk (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The endoscopic resection of GISTs is feasible and safe. EUS is of great significance for the diagnosis and risk assessment of GISTs and can assist in the endoscopic resection of GISTs.

[Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on epidural-related maternal fever in parturients undergoing epidural labor analgesia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect and safety of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on epidural-related maternal fever in parturients undergoing epidural labor analgesia. METHODS: A total of 198 primiparas with single birth, full-term pregnancy and head position were recruited and randomized into a TEAS group (98 cases) and a control group (100 cases). In the TEAS group, after epidural labor analgesia, TEAS was applied to bilateral Hegu (LI4) and Quchi (LI11), once an hour, for 30 min each time, till the end of childbirth. In the control group, after epidural labor analgesia, TEAS electrodes were attached to the same acupoints, but without electric stimulation. Maternal tympanic temperature and the score of Visual Analogue Score (VAS) were measured before analgesia, at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 h after analgesia and during labor respectively and maternal fever rate was evaluated in the parturients of two groups. Separately, before analgesia, 2 h after analgesia and during labor, the levels of serum interleukin (IL-6) and IL-1ß were determined in the parturients of two groups. The duration of labor, the mode of labor, oxytocin dosage, postpartum hemorrhage, neonatal Apgar scores, time of labor analgesia, labor analgesic consumption and adverse effects were recorded in the parturients of two groups. RESULTS: Maternal tympanic temperature increased progressively in two groups as analgesic time prolonged. Tympanic temperature at 3, 4 and 5 h after analgesia and du-ring labor, and maternal fever rate during labor in the TEAS group were all lower than those in the control group respectively (P<0.05). The levels of serum IL-6 and IL-1ß increased after analgesia in the parturients of two groups. The serum IL-6 level during labor and the level of IL-1ß at 2 h after analgesia and during labor in the parturients of the TEAS group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The analgesic consumption in the TEAS group was less than that in the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of chills in the TEAS group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The differences were not statistical in VAS score, duration of labor, mode of labor, oxytocin dosage, postpartum hemorrhage, time of labor analgesia and neonatal Apgar score, as well as the incidence of urine retention, nausea and vomiting and urinary retention between two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation at LI11 and LI4 is conductive to relieving epidural-rela-ted maternal fever and reducing serum levels of IL-6 and IL-1ß in the parturients undergoing epidural labor analgesia. It is safe and effective in clinical application.

KLF2 inhibits cell growth via regulating HIF-1α/Notch-1 signal pathway in human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells.

The transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) has been shown to function as a tumor suppressor and regulate biological processes of cancer cells, such as cell growth, cell apoptosis and angiogenesis. However, the function and mechanism of KLF2 in colorectal cancer (CRC) is still unknown. In the present study, we show that the expression of KLF2 is diminished in a cohort of CRC cell lines. Also, KLF2 overexpression remarkably inhibits HCT116 and SW480 cell survival and proliferation. Moreover, cell death detection ELISA plus assay showed that KLF2 overexpression increased HCT116 cell proliferation. Caspase-3/7 activity also increased in HCT116 cells transfected with PcDNA3.1-KLF2. Further studies showed that KLF2 significantly suppresses the expression of Notch-1 and is dependent on the decline of the HIF-1α level. Most importantly, silencing Notch-1 expression or HIF-1α level both impair the action of KLF2 overexpression in CRC cells. Collectively, we demonstrated that KLF2 mediates CRC cell biological processes including cell growth and apoptosis via regulating the HIF-1α/Notch-1 signal pathway. These results indicated that KLF2 plays an important role in CRC and provided novel insight on the function of KLF2 in tumor progression.

[Repeated tissue expansion for repairing extensive scalp and facial soft tissue defects: analysis of 18 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize our experiences with 18 cases of repeated tissue expansion for treating extensive scalp and facial soft tissue defects. METHOD: Tissue expansion was performed for 1 or 2 times after the primary expansion for repairing large scalp and facial soft tissue defects ranging from 9 cm x 5 cm to 16 cm x 12 cm using re-expanded flaps. The indications, complications and experiences in the treatment were discussed. RESULT: Satisfactory results were obtained in all the 18 cases. On the follow-up conducted 6 months postoperatively, the repaired defects presented excellent appearance and functional recovery without additional scars. CONCLUSION: Repeated tissue expansion is an effective technique for repairing large tissue defects in the head and face.