Evaluation of toppling rock slopes using a composite cloud model with DEMATEL–CRITIC method

Safety evaluation of toppling rock slopes developing in reservoir areas is crucial. To reduce the uncertainty of safety evaluation, this study developed a composite cloud model, which improved the combination weights of the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and criteria importance through intercriteria correlation (CRITIC) methods. A safety evaluation system was developed according to in situ monitoring data. The backward cloud generator was used to calculate the numerical characteristics of a cloud model of quantitative indices, and different virtual clouds were used to synthesize some clouds into a generalized one. The synthesized numerical characteristics were calculated to comprehensively evaluate the safety of toppling rock slopes. A case study of a toppling rock slope near the Huangdeng Hydropower Station in China was conducted using monitoring data collected since operation of the hydropower project began. The results indicated that the toppling rock slope was moderately safe with a low safety margin. The composite cloud model considers the fuzziness and randomness of safety evaluation and enables interchange between qualitative and quantitative knowledge. This study provides a new theoretical method for evaluating the safety of toppling rock slopes. It can aid in the predication, control, and even prevention of disasters.

Comparison of dental pulp periodontal therapy and conventional simple periodontal therapy as treatment modalities for severe periodontitis

BACKGROUND Severe periodontitis is a major oral health concern today as it can lead to loss of teeth.Conventional periodontal therapy has numerous pitfalls as it does not address the pulp-periodontal complex in its entirety.AIM To investigate the effect of dental pulp periodontal therapy on the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-10 in gingival crevicular fluid(GCF)in patients with severe periodontitis.METHODS Eighty-six patients with severe periodontitis were randomly divided into a research group(n=43)and a control group(n=43).The control group was treated with simple periodontal therapy,and the research group was treated with dental pulp periodontal therapy.The total effective rates of the treatments;periodontal status before and after treatment through the measurement of the periodontal pocket probing depth(PPD),gingival sulcus bleeding index(SBI),mobility(MD),and plaque index(PLI);the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1βand IL-10 in the GCF;and the incidence of complications were calculated for both groups and compared using the Student’s t test and theχ^(2) test.RESULTS The total effective rate of treatment in the study group(93.02%)was higher than that in the control group(76.74%;P<0.05).While before treatment,there was no significant difference in the PLI,MD,SBI,or PPD between the two groups,the post-treatment values of PLI,MD,SBI,and PPD(4.71±0.16 mm,0.61±0.09 mm,0.96±0.17 mm,and 0.76±0.26 mm,respectively)were significantly lower(P<0.05)in the research group than in the control group(5.35±0.24 mm,0.93±0.15 mm,1.35±0.30 mm,and 1.04±0.41 mm,respectively).There was no significant difference in the level of IL-1βor IL-10 in the GCF before treatment between the two groups;after treatment,the IL-1βlevel in the research group(139.04±15.54 pg/mL)was significantly lower than that in the control group(156.35±18.10 pg/mL),and the level of IL-10 in the research group(7.98±1.01 ug/L)was higher than that in the control group(5.56±0.96 ug/L)(P<0.05).The incidence of complications in the study group(4.65%)was significantly lower than that of the control group(18.60%;P<0.05).CONCLUSION Endodontic therapy and periodontal treatment for patients with severe periodontitis can effectively reduce the levels of inflammatory factors in the GCF and the inflammatory reaction.In addition,it can improve the periodontal condition and the overall treatment effect,reduce the risk of complications,and ensure the safety of treatment.

Demographic Characterization of Patients Enrolled in the China Pituitary Disease Register Network

To the Editor:Pituitary disease is a group of pituitary gland disorders, including pituitary adenoma and other lesions,in the sellar region.[1] Typical endocrine symptoms and mass effects are likely to have harmful results on patients,families,and society.Pituitary databases of various sizes and focuses have been established in the USA and Europe.[2-4]

A case of spermatic cord cyst with nodular histiocytic/mesothelial hyperplasia

Dear Editor, Nodular histiocytic/mesothelial hyperplasia （NHMH） is a rare and benign tumor-like lesion and easily misdiagnosed clinically and pathologically. We report a case of right spermatic cord cyst with NHMH.

Asymptomatic neurosyphilis may need early intervention in people living with HIV

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum(T.pallidum)and is of global and historic significance.People living with HIV(PLWH)infection are frequently coinfected with syphilis,because of the overlapping modes of pathogen acquisition.Neurosyphilis can occur at any stage of syphilis infection,and PLWH are at a greater risk of developing neurosyphilis in early and late latent syphilis,including asymptomatic central nervous system(CNS)infection than those without HIV infection.Some patients with neurosyphilis present neurological manifestations such as meningitis,stroke,cranial nerve dysfunction,auditory or ophthalmic abnormalities,and acute changes in mental status.However,some neurosyphilis cases in PLWH lack signs or symptoms of CNS infection.Asymptomatic neurosyphilis is diagnosed in the absence of neurological signs or symptoms and can only be detected in the presence of cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)abnormalities indicative of CNS infection,including mononuclear pleocytosis,increased protein concentration,and/or a reactive CSF venereal disease research laboratory(VDRL)assay.This has raised concerns that a persistent reservoir of T.pallidum although asymptomatic in the CNS,may result in treatment failure and neurological sequelae in PLWH.Neurosyphilis might lead to cranial nerve palsies,syphilitic meningitis,general paresis,and tabes dorsalis even several years after infection.Thus,early intervention may be needed for asymptomatic neurosyphilis in PLWH.

A case of giant epidermoid cyst on the penis

Dear Editor, Epidermal inclusion cyst is a benign lesion that can develop in any part of the body. Although cutaneous epidermoid cyst is common lesion, penile localization of them is quite rare.~ 3 We encountered a case of giant penile epidermoid cyst.