Optimism,Social Support,and Caregiving Burden among the Long-Term Caregivers:The Mediating Effect of Psychological Resilience

Background:As the elderly population grows,the demand for long-term care services is increasing.Despite significant investments in care quality and workforce training,long-term care workers often face challenges such as work fatigue,heavy workloads,and inadequate support.These issues can impact job satisfaction,mental health,and care quality,leading to staff turnover.This study examines how optimism,social support,and psychological resilience relate to caregiving burden,aiming to understand their effects on caregivers’well-being and performance to enhance the quality of long-term care services.Methods:The participants were 542 long-term care workers.Descriptive statistics,t-tests,one-way ANOVA,and hierarchical regression were used for data analysis.Results:(1)Optimism and social support were significantly and positively correlated with psychological resilience and significantly and negatively associated with caregiving burden.(2)Regarding differences in optimism,social support,psychological resilience,and caregiving burden among long-term care workers,females scored significantly higher than males in“social support;”married workers scored significantly higher than unmarried workers in“optimism,”“social support,”and“psychological resilience”;workers aged 45–65 scored significantly higher than those aged 25–45 in“optimism”;workers aged 25–45 scored significantly higher than those aged 45–65 in“caregiving burden”;social workers scored significantly higher than nursing staff in“optimism.”(3)Psychological resilience partially mediated the relationship between social support and caregiving burden concerning explanatory and predictive power.Conclusions:These findings suggest that optimism,social support,and psychological resilience are essential factors in reducing the caregiving burden among long-term care workers.The study highlights the importance of promoting psychological resilience and providing social support to alleviate the burden of caregiving.

Research on the Establishment of a Long-Term Care System for the Elderly with Alzheimer’s Disease Under the Background of Long-Term Care Insurance: A Literature Review

With the aging of the country’s population structure,the problem of social pensions is becoming more and more serious.As for the issue of social pension,the elderly with Alzheimer’s disease are a special group,and the issue of care services for these elderly has attracted widespread attention from society.However,judging from the current level of social security provided to the elderly with dementia in the country,there is a serious imbalance between supply and demand.Therefore,this problem needs to be solved urgently and is of great significance for further improving the country’s social pension security system.Routine care is limited to hospitals and mainly focuses on the patient’s condition.Patients fail to receive comprehensive care services and the effect is not ideal.Therefore,in order to improve patients’cognitive function and quality of life,and learn from international experience,a“community-institution-home”three-dimensional linkage care model based on long-term care insurance can be established.The application of this model can effectively solve and further improve the country’s elderly care and social security system.

Long-term follow-up of kidney transplant recipients admitted to a tertiary care transplant center with SARS-CoV-2

BACKGROUND Kidney transplant recipients(KTR)are at risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)disease and mortality after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection.We predicted that hospitalization for COVID-19 and subsequent admission to the intensive care unit(ICU)would yield worse outcomes in KTRs.cohort was stratified by ICU admission.Outcomes of interest included risk factors for ICU admission and mortality,length of stay(LOS),respiratory symptoms at admission,all-cause graft failure at the last follow-up,and death related to COVID-19.RESULTS 96 KTRs were hospitalized for SARS-COV-2 infection.21(22%)required ICU admission.The ICU group had longer hospital LOS(21.8 vs 8.6 days,P<0.001)and were more likely to experience graft failure(81%vs 31%,P<0.001).Of those admitted to the ICU,76%had death at last-follow up,and 71%had death related to COVID-19.Risk factors for ICU admission included male sex(aHR:3.11,95%CI:1.04-9.34;P=0.04).Risk factors for all-cause mortality and COVID-19-related mortality included ICU admission and advanced age at SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis.Mortality was highest within a month of COVID-19 diagnosis,with the ICU group having increased risk of all-cause(aHR:11.2,95%CI:5.11-24.5;P<0.001)and COVID-19-related mortality(aHR:27.2,95%CI:8.69-84.9;P<0.001).CONCLUSION ICU admission conferred an increased risk of mortality,graft failure,and longer LOS.One-fifth of those hospit-alized died of COVID-19,reflecting the impact of COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality among KTRs.

个性化护理联合CICARE沟通模式在耳鼻喉门诊患者中的应用

目的:探讨个性化护理联合CICARE沟通模式在耳鼻喉门诊患者中的应用效果。方法:采用便利取样法将2022年6月1日~2023年12月31日就诊于耳鼻喉门诊的256例患者作为研究对象,将2022年6月1日~2023年1月31日就诊的128例作为对照组,将2023年2月1日~12月31日就诊的128例作为实验组;对照组给予常规耳鼻喉门诊护理,实验组给予个性化护理联合CICARE沟通模式;比较两组护理前后护理质量、护理满意度。结果:护理后,实验组有形性感知、可靠性感知、响应性感知、保证性感知评分均高于对照组(P<0.05,P<0.01),两组移情性感知比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);护理后,实验组服务态度、沟通能力、就诊秩序、专业素质、护理安全、护理满意度总分均高于对照组(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论:将个性化护理联合CICARE沟通模式应用于耳鼻喉门诊患者中,能够提高护理质量和护理满意度。

Investigating adverse events in long-term care facilities:a systematized review

Objective:This systematized review aimed to synthesize the results of empirical studies focused on the types and factors of adverse events(AEs)that contribute to them in long-term care(LTC)settings.Methods:The search was conducted in Pro Quest,Scopus,and Pub Med in January 2021 and resulted in 1057 records.The content analysis method was used in the data analysis.Results:In all,35 studies were identified as relevant for the review.The analysis revealed 133 different types of AEs and 60 factors that contributed to them.Conclusions:In LTC,various AEs occur,most of which are preventable,while many factors that influence their occurrence could be significantly modifiable.Through an effective analysis of AEs in LTC,it is possible to minimize their occurrence and,at the same time,minimize their negative impact on all par ties concerned.

Significant risk factors for intensive care unit-acquired weakness:A processing strategy based on repeated machine learning

BACKGROUND Intensive care unit-acquired weakness(ICU-AW)is a common complication that significantly impacts the patient's recovery process,even leading to adverse outcomes.Currently,there is a lack of effective preventive measures.AIM To identify significant risk factors for ICU-AW through iterative machine learning techniques and offer recommendations for its prevention and treatment.METHODS Patients were categorized into ICU-AW and non-ICU-AW groups on the 14th day post-ICU admission.Relevant data from the initial 14 d of ICU stay,such as age,comorbidities,sedative dosage,vasopressor dosage,duration of mechanical ventilation,length of ICU stay,and rehabilitation therapy,were gathered.The relationships between these variables and ICU-AW were examined.Utilizing iterative machine learning techniques,a multilayer perceptron neural network model was developed,and its predictive performance for ICU-AW was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve.RESULTS Within the ICU-AW group,age,duration of mechanical ventilation,lorazepam dosage,adrenaline dosage,and length of ICU stay were significantly higher than in the non-ICU-AW group.Additionally,sepsis,multiple organ dysfunction syndrome,hypoalbuminemia,acute heart failure,respiratory failure,acute kidney injury,anemia,stress-related gastrointestinal bleeding,shock,hypertension,coronary artery disease,malignant tumors,and rehabilitation therapy ratios were significantly higher in the ICU-AW group,demonstrating statistical significance.The most influential factors contributing to ICU-AW were identified as the length of ICU stay(100.0%)and the duration of mechanical ventilation(54.9%).The neural network model predicted ICU-AW with an area under the curve of 0.941,sensitivity of 92.2%,and specificity of 82.7%.CONCLUSION The main factors influencing ICU-AW are the length of ICU stay and the duration of mechanical ventilation.A primary preventive strategy,when feasible,involves minimizing both ICU stay and mechanical ventilation duration.

Clinical manifestations,diagnosis and long-term prognosis of adult autoimmune enteropathy:Experience from Peking Union Medical College Hospital

BACKGROUND Autoimmune enteropathy(AIE)is a rare disease whose diagnosis and long-term prognosis remain challenging,especially for adult AIE patients.AIM To improve overall understanding of this disease’s diagnosis and prognosis.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the clinical,endoscopic and histopathological characteristics and prognoses of 16 adult AIE patients in our tertiary medical center between 2011 and 2023,whose diagnosis was based on the 2007 diagnostic criteria.RESULTS Diarrhea in AIE patients was characterized by secretory diarrhea.The common endoscopic manifestations were edema,villous blunting and mucosal hyperemia in the duodenum and ileum.Villous blunting(100%),deep crypt lymphocytic infiltration(67%),apoptotic bodies(50%),and mild intraepithelial lymphocytosis(69%)were observed in the duodenal biopsies.Moreover,there were other remarkable abnormalities,including reduced or absent goblet cells(duodenum 94%,ileum 62%),reduced or absent Paneth cells(duodenum 94%,ileum 69%)and neutrophil infiltration(duodenum 100%,ileum 69%).Our patients also fulfilled the 2018 diagnostic criteria but did not match the 2022 diagnostic criteria due to undetectable anti-enterocyte antibodies.All patients received glucocorticoid therapy as the initial medication,of which 14/16 patients achieved a clinical response in 5(IQR:3-20)days.Immunosuppressants were administered to 9 patients with indications of steroid dependence(6/9),steroid refractory status(2/9),or intensified maintenance medication(1/9).During the median of 20.5 months of followup,2 patients died from multiple organ failure,and 1 was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.The cumulative relapse-free survival rates were 62.5%,55.6%and 37.0%at 6 months,12 months and 48 months,respectively.CONCLUSION Certain histopathological findings,including a decrease or disappearance of goblet and Paneth cells in intestinal biopsies,might be potential diagnostic criteria for adult AIE.The long-term prognosis is still unsatisfactory despite corticosteroid and immunosuppressant medications,which highlights the need for early diagnosis and novel medications.

Electrochemical biosensors for point-of-care testing

Point-of-care testing(POCT)is the practice of diagnosing and monitoring diseases where the patient is located,as opposed to traditional treatment conducted solely in a medical laboratory or other clinical setting.POCT has been less common in the recent past due to a lack of portable medical devices capable of facilitating effective medical testing.However,recent growth has occurred in this field due to advances in diagnostic technologies,device miniaturization,and progress in wearable electronics.Among these developments,electrochemical sensors have attracted interest in the POCT field due to their high sensitivity,compact size,and affordability.They are used in various applications,from disease diagnosis to health status monitoring.In this paper we explore recent advancements in electrochemical sensors,the methods of fabricating them,and the various types of sensing mechanisms that can be used.Furthermore,we delve into methods for immobilizing specific biorecognition elements,including enzymes,antibodies,and aptamers,onto electrode surfaces and how these sensors are used in real-world POCT settings.

21st century critical care medicine:An overview

Critical care medicine in the 21st century has witnessed remarkable advancements that have significantly improved patient outcomes in intensive care units(ICUs).This abstract provides a concise summary of the latest developments in critical care,highlighting key areas of innovation.Recent advancements in critical care include Precision Medicine:Tailoring treatments based on individual patient characteristics,genomics,and biomarkers to enhance the effectiveness of therapies.The objective is to describe the recent advancements in Critical Care Medicine.Telemedicine:The integration of telehealth technologies for remote patient monitoring and consultation,facilitating timely interventions.Artificial intelligence(AI):AI-driven tools for early disease detection,predictive analytics,and treatment optimization,enhancing clinical decision-making.Organ Support:Advanced life support systems,such as Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy provide better organ support.Infection Control:Innovative infection control measures to combat emerging pathogens and reduce healthcare-associated infections.Ventilation Strategies:Precision ventilation modes and lung-protective strategies to minimize ventilatorinduced lung injury.Sepsis Management:Early recognition and aggressive management of sepsis with tailored interventions.Patient-Centered Care:A shift towards patient-centered care focusing on psychological and emotional wellbeing in addition to medical needs.We conducted a thorough literature search on PubMed,EMBASE,and Scopus using our tailored strategy,incorporating keywords such as critical care,telemedicine,and sepsis management.A total of 125 articles meeting our criteria were included for qualitative synthesis.To ensure reliability,we focused only on articles published in the English language within the last two decades,excluding animal studies,in vitro/molecular studies,and non-original data like editorials,letters,protocols,and conference abstracts.These advancements reflect a dynamic landscape in critical care medicine,where technology,research,and patient-centered approaches converge to improve the quality of care and save lives in ICUs.The future of critical care promises even more innovative solutions to meet the evolving challenges of modern medicine.

Long-term outcomes after endoscopic removal of malignant colorectal polyps:Results from a 10-year cohort

BACKGROUND Choosing an optimal post-polypectomy management strategy of malignant colorectal polyps is challenging,and evidence regarding a surveillance-only strategy is limited.AIM To evaluate long-term outcomes after endoscopic removal of malignant colorectal polyps.METHODS A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate outcomes after endoscopic removal of malignant colorectal polyps between 2010 and 2020.Residual disease rate and nodal metastases after secondary surgery and local and distant recurrence rate for those with at least 1 year of follow-up were invest-igated.Event rates for categorical variables and means for continuous variables with 95%confidence intervals were calculated,and Fisher’s exact test and Mann-Whitney test were performed.Potential risk factors of adverse outcomes were RESULTS In total,135 lesions(mean size:22.1 mm;location:42%rectal)from 129 patients(mean age:67.7 years;56%male)were enrolled.The proportion of pedunculated and non-pedunculated lesions was similar,with en bloc resection in 82%and 47%of lesions,respectively.Tumor differentiation,distance from resection margins,depth of submucosal invasion,lymphovascular invasion,and budding were reported at 89.6%,45.2%,58.5%,31.9%,and 25.2%,respectively.Residual tumor was found in 10 patients,and nodal metastasis was found in 4 of 41 patients who underwent secondary surgical resection.Univariate analysis identified piecemeal resection as a risk factor for residual malignancy(odds ratio:1.74;P=0.042).At least 1 year of follow-up was available for 117 lesions from 111 patients(mean follow-up period:5.59 years).Overall,54%,30%,30%,11%,and 16%of patients presented at the 1-year,3-year,5-year,7-year,and 9-10-year surveillance examinations.Adverse outcomes occurred in 9.0%(local recurrence and dissemination in 4 patients and 9 patients,respectively),with no difference between patients undergoing secondary surgery and surveillance only.CONCLUSION Reporting of histological features and adherence to surveillance colonoscopy needs improvement.Long-term adverse outcome rates might be higher than previously reported,irrespective of whether secondary surgery was performed.

Guided Care护理模式对老年骨质疏松症患者自我管理能力和生活质量的影响

目的探讨分析Guided Care护理模式对老年骨质疏松症患者自我管理能力和生活质量的影响。方法简单随机选取2022年1月—2023年9月山东省泰安荣军医院收治的60例老年骨质疏松症患者为研究对象,按随机数表法将其分为常规组(实施常规护理干预),模式组(在常规组的基础上给予Guided Care护理模式干预),每组30例,两组均持续干预2个月,比较两组患者干预前后的健康认知水平、跌倒风险、自我管理能力、生活质量、护理满意度。结果干预2个月后,模式组的健康认知水平评分高于常规组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。干预2个月后,模式组的跌倒风险评分低于常规组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。干预2个月后,模式组的自我管理能力评分高于常规组,生活质量评分低于常规组,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。干预2个月后,模式组的护理满意度为93.33%,高于常规组的护理满意度73.33%,差异有统计学意义(χ^(2)=4.320,P<0.05)。结论在老年骨质疏松症患者中,应用Guided Care护理模式,可以有效地提升患者的健康认知水平及自我管理能力,提高患者的生活质量,降低患者跌倒的风险。

Long-Term Active and Passive Horticultural Therapy Intervention for Elderly Patients with Moderate Dementia and AI Analysis of Medical Records and Care Documents

Background: Previous studies have shown that Hand Care Treatment, a form of passive horticultural therapy, is effective in preventing dementia and MCI and reducing the rate of progression. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, various activity restrictions were implemented in Japan from March 2020, and the number of elderly people without care and rehabilitation will the number of elderly people without care and rehabilitation has been increasing. Purpose: Progression of cognitive, physical, and mental disability was examined for long-term horticultural therapy study subjects by level of care required. Methods: One subject who had been diagnosed with dementia and was residing in an elderly care facility and consented to a long-term study was selected. In addition to assessments using various evaluation forms, data recorded from time to time, including changes in care plans, were analyzed using text mining methods. Results: This subject tended to progress slowly from 1 to 2 care needs, but progressed from 3 to 5 care needs over a 2-year period. The results of the assessment chart test showed that cognitive impairment and IADL decreased with each increase in the level of care required, but DBD remained the same at the time of admission, even at 5 years of care required. A comparison of HCT and aroma intervention with and without aroma intervention during the nursing care level 1 showed that the improvement in physical, mental, and cognitive function was expected to be higher at the time of intervention. Text-mining inspections have revealed that during the period of nursing care level 1 - 5, active horticultural therapy techniques, and passive horticultural therapy techniques such as HCT and brain rejuvenation aromatherapy were found to betweenness centrality with each other. Conclusion: From the results of mean score of DBD, although the nursing care level has progressed from 1 to a maximum of 5, it can be concluded that the burden of care has not become heavier. There was no tendency for the progression of cognitive impairment in this subject to be faster than in the general AD population, despite the influences of Covid-19. The results indicated that caregiving techniques and active and passive horticultural therapy techniques in Japanese welfare facilities for the elderly are expected to be effective in preventing the progression of cognitive impairment.

Current interventional options for palliative care for patients with advanced-stage cholangiocarcinoma

Primary biliary tract tumors are malignancies that originate in the liver,bile ducts,or gallbladder.These tumors often present with jaundice of unknown etiology,leading to delayed diagnosis and advanced disease.Currently,several palliative treatment options are available for primary biliary tract tumors.They include percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage(PTBD),biliary stenting,and surgical interventions such as biliary diversion.Systemic therapy is also commonly used for the palliative treatment of primary biliary tract tumors.It involves the administration of chemotherapy drugs,such as gemcitabine and cisplatin,which have shown promising results in improving overall survival in patients with advanced biliary tract tumors.PTBD is another palliative treatment option for patients with unresectable or inoperable malignant biliary obstruction.Biliary stenting can also be used as a palliative treatment option to alleviate symptoms in patients with unresectable or inoperable malignant biliary obstruction.Surgical interventions,such as biliary diversion,have traditionally been used as palliative options for primary biliary tract tumors.However,biliary diversion only provides temporary relief and does not remove the tumor.Primary biliary tract tumors often present in advanced stages,making palliative treatment the primary option for improving the quality of life of patients.

Discharging patients home from the intensive care unit:A new trend

Discharging patients directly to home from the intensive care unit(ICU)is becoming a new trend.This review examines the feasibility,benefits,challenges,and considerations of directly discharging ICU patients.By analyzing available evidence and healthcare professionals'experiences,the review explores the potential impacts on patient outcomes and healthcare systems.The practice of direct discharge from the ICU presents both opportunities and complexities.While it can potentially reduce costs,enhance patient comfort,and mitigate complications linked to extended hospitalization,it necessitates meticulous patient selection and robust post-discharge support mechanisms.Implementing this strategy successfully mandates the availability of home-based care services and a careful assessment of the patient's readiness for the transition.Through critical evaluation of existing literature,this review underscores the significance of tailored patient selection criteria and comprehensive post-discharge support systems to ensure patient safety and optimal recovery.The insights provided contribute evidence-based recommendations for refining the direct discharge approach,fostering improved patient outcomes,heightened satisfaction,and streamlined healthcare processes.Ultimately,the review seeks to balance patientcentered care and effective resource utilization within ICU discharge strategies.

Tailoring Iron-Ion Release of Cellulose-Based Aerogel-Coated Iron Foam for Long-Term High-Power Microbial Fuel Cells

The presence of iron(Fe) has been found to favor power generation in microbial fuel cells(MFCs). To achieve long-term power production in MFCs, it is crucial to effectively tailor the release of Fe ions over extended operating periods. In this study, we developed a composite anode(A/IF) by coating iron foam with cellulose-based aerogel. The concentration of Fe ions in the anode solution of A/IF anode reaches 0.280 μg/mL(Fe^(2+) vs. Fe^(3+) = 61%:39%) after 720 h of aseptic primary cell operation. This value was significantly higher than that(0.198 μg/mL, Fe^(2+) vs. Fe^(3+) = 92%:8%) on uncoated iron foam(IF), indicating a continuous release of Fe ions over long-term operation. Notably, the resulting MFCs hybrid cell exhibited a 23% reduction in Fe ion concentration(compared to a 47% reduction for the IF anode) during the sixth testing cycle(600-720 h). It achieved a high-power density of 301 ± 55 mW/m^(2) at 720 h, which was 2.62 times higher than that of the IF anode during the same period. Furthermore, a sedimentary microbial fuel cell(SMFCs) was constructed in a marine environment, and the A/IF anode demonstrated a power density of 103 ± 3 mW/m^(2) at 3240 h, representing a 75% improvement over the IF anode. These findings elucidate the significant enhancement in long-term power production performance of MFCs achieved through effective tailoring of Fe ions release during operation.

Mitigating the Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy in the United States: Utilization of the Chronic Care Model as a Public Health Framework

As the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy continues to be on the rise, the Chronic Care Model (CCM) offers a transformative, patient-focused approach for efficient diabetic retinopathy care, emphasizing the need for urgent and innovative strategies in the United States. The model integrates community resources, healthcare organizations, self-management support, delivery system design, decision support, and clinical information systems. Addressing challenges and solutions, the model emphasizes proactive and preventive measures, collaborative multidisciplinary care, technological integration, and overcoming resistance to change. This paper proposes the utilization of the Chronic Care Model (CCM) as a possible public health framework for comprehensive management of diabetic retinopathy in the United States. Implementing the CCM offers a comprehensive approach to diabetic retinopathy care, addressing both individual and systemic factors, essential for improving public health outcomes.

Development of Self-Rated Nursing Record Frequency for Delirium Care of Nurses in Acute Care Hospitals (NRDC-Acute)

Background: Nursing records play an important role in multidisciplinary collaborations in delirium care. This study aims to develop a self-rated nursing record frequency scale for delirium care among nurses in acute care hospitals (NRDC-Acute). Methods: A draft of the scale was developed after a literature review and meeting with researchers with experience in delirium care, and a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing. We identified 25 items on a 5-point Likert scale. Subsequently, an anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey was administered to 520 nurses from 41 acute care hospitals in Japan, and the reliability and validity of the scale were examined. Results: There were 232 (44.6%) respondents and 218 (41.9%) valid responses. The mean duration of clinical experience was 15.2 years (SD = 8.8). Exploratory factor analysis extracted 4 factors and 13 items for this scale. The model fit indices were GFI = 0.991, AGFI = 0.986, and SRMR = 0.046. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the entire scale was .888. The four factors were named “Record of Pharmacological Delirium Care on Pro Re Nata (PRN)”, “Record of Non-Pharmacological Delirium Care”, “Record of Pharmacological Delirium Care on Regular Medication”, and “Record of Collaboration for Delirium Care”. Conclusion: The scale was relatively reliable and valid. Nurses in acute care hospitals can use this scale to identify and address issues related to the documentation of nursing records for delirium care.

Personalized Perioperative Care for a Patient with a 10-Year-Old Postpartum Old Thrombus after Neoadjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women, and has become the main cause threatening women’s health. A case of breast cancer with neoadjuvant chemotherapy was discharged after active treatment and nursing.

Service-Learning Practices and Reflections in the Perspective of Nel Noddings’Theory of Caring Education:The“Care for the Elderly”Service-Learning Program as an Example

Nel Noddings’ethics of care is an important lineage of Western moral education thought,which contains deep humanistic values.Service-learning advocates the equal importance of service and learning,and emphasizes more on the discovery of educational connotations in practice.Based on the social background of aging,this paper takes the“Care for the Elderly”service-learning program as an example,attempts to take the care ethics as the entry point,adopts interviews,questionnaires,and other research methods,and opens-up the service-learning practice path under the threshold of Nel Noddings’care education theory.

Long-Term Performance and Microstructural Characterization of Dam Concrete in the Three Gorges Project

This study investigates the long-term performance of laboratory dam concrete in different curing environments over ten years and the microstructure of 17-year-old laboratory concrete and actual concrete cores drilled from the Three Gorges Dam.The mechanical properties of the laboratory dam concrete,whether cured in natural or standard environments,continued to improve over time.Furthermore,the laboratory dam concrete exhibited good resistance to diffusion and a refined microstructure after 17 years.However,curing and long-term exposure to the local natural environment reduced the frost resistance.Microstructural analyses of the laboratory concrete samples demonstrated that moderate-heat cement and fine fly ash(FA)particles were almost fully hydrated to form compact micro structures consisting of large quantities of homogeneous calcium(alumino)silicate hydrate(C-(A)-S-H)gels and a few crystals.No obvious interfacial transition zones were observed in the microstructure owing to the longterm pozzolanic reaction.This dense and homogenous microstructure was the crucial reason for the excellent long-term performance of the dam concrete.A high FA volume also played a significant role in the microstructural densification and performance growth of dam concrete at a later age.The concrete drilled from the dam surface exhibited a loose microstructure with higher microporosity,indicating that concrete directly exposed to the actual service environment suffered degradation caused by water and wind attacks.In this study,both macro-performance and microstructural analyses revealed that the application of moderate-heat cement and FA resulted in a dense and homogenous microstructure,which ensured the excellent long-term performance of concrete from the Three Gorges Dam after 17 years.Long-term exposure to an actual service environment may lead to microstructural degradation of the concrete surface.Therefore,the retained long-term dam concrete samples need to be further researched to better understand its microstructural evolution and development of its properties.