Analysis of dental clinic and dental chair distribution in Sichuan.

OBJECTIVES: To thoroughly understand the current dental chair equipment status of dental clinics in Sichuan Province and provide a reference for administrative departments. METHODS: Data were collected from a health administrative department and a regional social development yearbook. The number of existing dental clinics and dental chairs in Sichuan Province was investigated. RESULTS: In Sichuan Province, 7 103 dental clinics were determined to be equipped with 21 760 dental chairs. The Gini coefficients of per capita dental clinics in the province were 0.50, 0.22, and 0.06, and the Gini coefficients of per capita dental chairs were 0.68, 0.31, and 0.15; these coefficients had the same distribution as that reflected by the Lorenz curve. In consideration of geographic distribution, the Theil index for the distribution of dental clinics and dental chairs among cities and states were 0.690 7 and 0.822 3, respectively. The overall Theil index va-lues for the distribution of dental clinics and dental chairs in the province were 0.902 4 and 1.079 4, respectively. The difference in the distribution of dental clinics and dental chairs among cities and states in the province contributed 0.765 4 and 0.761 8 to the total difference, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The allocation of oral health resources in Sichuan Pro-vince is relatively equitable in terms of population and economic distribution but uneven in geographical distribution.

Carminic acid mitigates fructose-triggered hepatic steatosis by inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction.

Excessive fructose (Fru) consumption has been reported to favor nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the molecular mechanism is still elusive, lacking effective therapeutic strategies. Carminic acid (CA), a glucosylated anthraquinone found in scale insects like Dactylopius coccus, exerts anti-tumor and anti-oxidant activities. Nevertheless, its regulatory role in Fru-induced NAFLD is still obscure. Here, the effects of CA on NAFLD in Fru-challenged mice and the underlying molecular mechanisms were explored. We found that Fru intake significantly led to insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in liver of mice, which were considerably attenuated by CA treatment through repressing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Additionally, inflammatory response induced by Fru was also attenuated by CA via the blockage of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and tumor necrosis factor α/TNF-α receptor (TNF-α/TNFRs) signaling pathways. Moreover, Fru-provoked oxidative stress in liver tissues was remarkably attenuated by CA mainly through improving the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2). These anti-dyslipidemias, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities regulated by CA were confirmed in the isolated primary hepatocytes with Fru stimulation. Importantly, the in vitro experiments demonstrated that Fru-induced lipid accumulation was closely associated with inflammatory response and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production regulated by TNF-α and Nrf-2 signaling pathways, respectively. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that CA could be considered as a potential therapeutic strategy to attenuate metabolic disorder and NAFLD in Fru-challenged mice mainly through suppressing inflammatory response and oxidative stress.

[Study of the Relationship between Oral Diseases and Depression Symptoms in Middle-Aged and Older Adult Populations in China-A Retrospective Study Based on CHARLS Data].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between oral disease and depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adult populations in China. METHODS: The data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) done between 2013 and 2015 were analyzed. A total of 3828 middle-aged and older adults showing no depressive symptoms in an assessment with the 10-item Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10) were selected as the subjects of observation, and oral disease was taken as the dependent variable. Changes in depressive symptoms in the population were tracked in 2015, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the relationship between oral diseases and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: The detection rate of depressive symptoms was 29.3% in middle-aged and older adults with oral diseases, and that of middle-aged and older adults without oral diseases was 20.4%, the difference being statistically significant ( P<0.001). After controlling for confounding factors, Cox proportional hazards model analysis found an association between oral diseases and depressive symptoms (hazard ratio [ HR]=0.683, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 0.583-0.800). It was more likely for middle-aged and older women ( HR=0.708, 95% CI: 0.573-0.874) with oral diseases to develop depressive symptoms than men ( HR=0.644, 95% CI: 0.506-0.819) did ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Oral diseases in the middle-aged and older adult populations tended to lead to depressive symptoms, and women showed higher rate than men did. Prevention and control measures should be taken actively in the course of oral disease treatment to promote mental health of middle-aged and older adults.

Health-related quality of life among survivors in minority area 2 years after Jiuzhaigou earthquake: A cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT: To investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and related factors, the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among earthquake survivors in minority area 2 years after Jiuzhaigou earthquake.Two years after the Jiuzhaigou earthquake, a cross-sectional survey was conducted by a multi-stage sampling approach. HRQoL was measured by the short form 12 (SF-12), PTSD was measured by the PTSD Check List-Civilian Version (PCL-C), and social support was measured by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA and multiple linear regression analysis were used for data analysis.Of the 561 participants, the mean scores on the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) were 46.36 ±â€Š12.79 and 55.03 ±â€Š8.73, and 5.73% reported the symptoms of PTSD. Lower PCS and MCS after an earthquake were associated with elderly age, physical illness, and low level of social support (P < .05). Meanwhile, PTSD was significantly associated with MCS.These findings showed that physical disease and psychological symptoms can adversely affect the HRQoL of survivors. Moreover, providing higher social support to survivors should be considered as a way to improve the HRQoL outcomes of survivors.

[Young Children's Family Sex Education in Rural Areas of Sichuan Province and Its Influencing Factors].

Objective To understand the family sex education for young children in rural areas of Sichuan province and analyze the influencing factors. Methods A multi-stage random sampling method was used to select 2246 parents of kindergarten children from rural areas in Sichuan province for a questionnaire-based survey.The Chi-square test and Logistic regression model were used for data analysis. Results It was found 1132(52.33%)parents had implemented family sex education for young children and 1031(47.67%)had not.Young children having asked sex-related questions(OR=1.536,95%CI=1.257-1.878),parents thinking that early childhood sex education is necessary(OR=3.691,95%CI=2.029-6.717),and parents having the intention to know early childhood sex education(OR=1.700,95%CI=1.274-2.269),and kindergarten having implemented early childhood sex education(OR=3.316,95%CI=2.515-4.372)were promoting factors for parents to conduct early childhood sex education,whereas a total annual household income at the middle level(OR=0.664,95%CI=0.456-0.968)was a hindering factor for parents to conduct early childhood sex education. Conclusions Parents of young children in rural areas of Sichuan province have poor awareness of sex education,and the proportion of parents who have never conducted sex education for children is high.The total annual income of the family,whether the children have asked about sex-related questions,parents' attitude towards early childhood sex education,and whether the kindergarten has conducted the early childhood sex education are important factors that influence the level of children's family sex education.

[Analysis on the Health-related Quality of Life and Influencing Factors among the Older Generation of Migrant Workers in Chengdu City].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the status and distribution characteristics of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of the older generation of migrant workers in Chengdu, and analyze the factors influencing the quality of life of the older generation of migrant workers, so as to provide reference for formulating relevant policies to improve the health of the older generation of migrant workers. METHODS: From June 2017 to June 2018, the respondent-driven sampling (RDS) method was used to select 1 492 non-registered migrant workers born before 1980 living in Chengdu city. The investigation was performed with questionnaire including demographic characteristics, working status, economic status, disease status, living environment and HRQOL. RESULTS: The scores of physical component summary (PCS), mental component summary (MCS) and the total score of HRQOL in the older generation of migrant workers were 50.78±7.54, 50.67±10.24 and 101.45±12.34, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that older age (standard regression coefficient ( Sß)=-0.061, P=0.026), low education level ( Sß=-0.053, P=0.038), being unmarried, divorced or widowed ( Sß=-0.064, P=0.009), chronic diseases ( Sß=-0.156, P<0.001), or two-week illness ( Sß=-0.190, P<0.001) were the risk factors of low HRQOL; High income level ( Sß=0.069, P=0.013), having a steady job ( Sß=0.126, P<0.001), having endowment insurance ( Sß=0.055, P=0.027) and satisfactory with the living environment ( Sß=0.060, P=0.016) were the contributing factors factors of high HRQOL. CONCLUSION: The HRQOL of the older generation of migrant workers in Chengdu is generally good. More attention should be paid to the migrant workers of older age, having lower income, suffering from chronic diseases, being unmarried/divorced/widowed, and lacking endowment insurance. Appropriate measures should be taken to improve the health status of the key groups.

Design, Microwave-Assisted Synthesis and in Vitro Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of 2,5-Disubstituted Benzimidazole.

Seventeen novel 2,5-disubstituted benzimidazole derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their antibacterial activities. The tested compounds B1-B4 and C2-C6 exhibited not only good antifungal activity but also favorable broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Also, the lowest MIC of antibacterial and antifungal activity was 2 µg/mL and 4 µg/mL, respectively. It suggested that the structure of compound including the different substituent and its sites directly affected the efficacy of the synthesized compounds.

Signal amplification strategy for biomarkers: Structural origins of epitaxial-growth twinned nanocrystals and D-π-A type polymers.

The combination of nanoparticles and biomarkers yields functional nanostructured biointerface, which is playing a notable role in biotechnology development. Due to the 5-fold twined structure in the Au-Pt star-shaped decahedra not only allowed it to act as efficient scaffold for immobilization of antibody, but it also exhibits superior electrocatalytic activity toward H2O2 reduction, the nanocrystal as the efficient signal transduction label is first employed to construct an electrochemical immunosensor. Donor-π-Acceptor (D-π-A) linking fashion generates a dipolar push-pull system and assures superior intramolecular charge transfer. It is considered as a suitable π-conjugated backbone for conducting polymer on biointerface application. Under a D-π-A architecture which imidazole as the π-bridge and amino phenyl/phenyl groups as peripheral electron-donating/withdrawing functional groups, 4-(2,4,5-triphenyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl) aniline (TPIDA) is designed and synthesized for good biocompatibility and high conductivity. In this proposal, we attempt to integrate the above-mentioned two features from nanobiotechnology and organic bioelectronics. Then, a novel nonenzymatic sandwich-type immunosensor is performed by Au-Pt core-shell with surface-engineered twinning as a label and π-conjugated D-π-A polymers as the signal amplification platform. Human IgG (HIgG) as the model target protein can be detected with a wide linear range from 0.1 pg mL-1 to 100 ng mL-1. The detection limit is down to 0.06 pg mL-1 (S/N = 3). Moreover, as a practical application, the prepared biosensor is used to monitor HIgG level in human serum with desirable results obtained.

[Value of diffusion-weighted imaging, 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy and 3D whole-brain arterial spin labeling in the diagnosis of medulloblastoma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and 3D whole-brain arterial spin labeling (3D ASL) in the diagnosis of medulloblastoma in the posterior cranial fossa. METHODS: The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of 16 patients with pathologically confirmed medulloblastoma in the posterior cranial fossa were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients were examined with plane and enhanced brain MRI scans; 5 patients also underwent examinations with DWI, 12 with MRS, and 5 with 3D ASL. RESULTS: Medulloblastomas were found in the vermis and the fourth ventricle in 9 cases, in the cerebellar hemisphere in 5 cases, and in the cerebellopontine angle in 1 case; in 1 case multiple lesions were detected. The tumors showed iso-intense or slightly hypo-intense signals on T1WI, and iso-intense or hyper-intense signals on T2WI and FLAIR. The lesions showed high signals in DWI and low signals in ADC. Intra-lesion cysts were common (n=12), and calcification and bleeding were rarely seen. Mild patchy enhancement (n=6) or significant enhancement (n=10) was seen after contrast agent administration. Obstructive hydrocephalus was found in 12 cases and the subarachnoid space was involved in 3 cases. In all the 12 patients receiving MRS examination, high Cho and low NAA were found with significantly increased Cho/Cr (≥3.5) and Cho/NAA (≥4.0) ratios; Tau peak was seen in 8 cases, and Lip peak was found in 4 cases. All the 5 patients receiving 3D ASL examination showed decreased cerebral blood flow (CBF). CONCLUSION: The characteristic features of medulloblastomas in DWI, MRS and 3D ASL offer assistance to the diagnosis of atypical medulloblastoma.

Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of dewatering properties of chitosan-grafting DMDAAC flocculants.

Flocculation is one of the most widely applied techniques for water treatment and sludge dewatering. A fresh environmentally friendly and powerful flocculant is highly eager in the sludge dewatering area. In this work, a highly efficient cationic flocculant, chitosan-g-PDMDAAC was synthesized through grafting a monomer, dimethy ldiallyl ammonium chloride(DMDAAC), onto chitosan initiated by ceric sulfate under ultrasonic-assisted and conventional heating condition. The graft copolymer was characterized using FT-IR, XRD and SEM. Further, the dewatering performance of municipal activated sludge was evaluated by the filter cake moisture content and specific resistance in filtration. Its application as a flocculant for wastewater treatment was investigated. The prepared chitosan-g-PDMDAAC showed a highly effective flocculation capability for activated sludge compared with chitosan, polyacrylamide(PAM), cationic polyacrylamide(CPAM).