1.Risk factors for open gingival embrasures in the mandibular central incisor region among adult non-extraction patients treated with clear aligner therapy
WEI Xiaojiao ; HAN Shuang ; TANG Chenxin ; ZHANG Hao
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(1):54-64
Objective:
To investigate the incidence and risk factors of open gingival embrasures (OGEs) in the incisor region after treatment with clear aligners in adult non-extraction patients and provide a reference for preventing the occurrence of an open gingival wedge gap in the incisal area after orthodontic treatment.
Methods:
This study has been reviewed and approved by the institutional medical ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained from the patients. A total of 125 adult patients with malocclusion who completed clear aligner treatment at Hefei Stomatological Hospital from September 2022 to December 2024 were selected as the study subjects. Based on the presence or absence of OGEs in the incisor region observed in frontal intraoral photographs taken immediately after treatment completion, the patients were divided into a normal group and an OGE group. Clinical data, including intraoral photographs, digital models, and cone-beam computed tomography before and after treatment, were analyzed. Measurements such as incisor overlap and rotation, crown morphology, number of attachments, and interproximal enamel reduction (IPR) were recorded and analyzed.
Results:
The incidence of OGEs between the maxillary and mandibular central incisors after clear aligner treatment in adult patients was 28.8% and 39.2%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between the normal and OGE groups in terms of sex, Angle's classification, gingival biotype, overbite, overjet, IPR amount, age, treatment duration, tooth axis angulation, or horizontal movement distance of mandibular central incisors before and after treatment (P 0.05). However, significant differences were found in the number of attachments, anteroposterior distance between mesial incisal angles, distance from the interproximal contact point (ICP) to the alveolar bone crest (ABC) (ICP-ABC), horizontal distance between mesial cementoenamel junction (CEJ) of two adjacent central incisors (CEJ-CEJ) and labial alveolar bone thickness (P 0.05). IPR amount and mandibular incisor intrusion were significantly associated with the severity of OGEs (P 0.05). Regression analysis revealed that the number of attachments, anteroposterior distance between mesial incisal angles, ICP-ABC distance, and CEJ-CEJ horizontal distance were significantly correlated with the occurrence of OGEs.
Conclusion
The incidence of open gingival embrasures in the mandibular central incisor region is relatively high among adult patients treated with clear aligners. The number of attachments (n = 2), the anteroposterior distance between the mesio-incisal angles, the distance from the tooth contact point to the alveolar bone crest, and the horizontal distance between adjacent cementoenamel junctions have been identified as risk factors for the development of open gingival embrasures upon completion of orthodontic treatment.
2.Advances in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment by Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on Cellular Senescence: A Review
Qixian MA ; Shiyu HAN ; Hui HUANG ; Jing TIAN ; Xu HAN ; Qingguang CHEN ; Hao LU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):322-330
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) is one of the most common and harmful complications of type 2 diabetes. DPN's pathogenesis include high blood sugar-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. These factors are combined to damage nerve fibers, leading to sensory issues, pain, and numbness. Through a coordinated effect, these factors trigger nerve fiber damage and lead to sensory abnormalities, pain and numbness in limbs, and other symptoms, seriously restricting patients' activities of daily living and mobility. Recent research highlights that cellular senescence plays a critical role in DPN. Cellular senescence is manifested by the loss of cell proliferation ability, and further aggravates nerve damage via oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy impairment, inflammatory reaction, and other mechanisms, accelerating DPN occurrence and progression. In terms of medical treatment, current methods focus on blood sugar control, pain relief medicine, and microcirculation improvement, while no therapy has been developed based on cellular senescence. In contrast, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shows a unique advantage in DPN prevention and treatment via cellular senescence modulation. TCM emphasizes a holistic approach, as well as syndrome differentiation and treatment, effective in anti-aging and nerve damage repair. Recent studies show that TCM active ingredients, including puerarin, ginsenosides, and berberine, can reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis via signaling pathway regulation, thereby slowing cellular senescence to alleviate nerve damage. Furthermore, TCM compounds such as Buyang Huanwutang, Taohong Siwutang, and Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang exert synergistic effects on cellular senescence-related pathways to improve nerve health and reduce DPN clinical symptoms. Therefore, this paper reviews the literature related to the interaction between cellular senescence and DPN from the perspective of cellular senescence, summarizing the mechanism of DPN and TCM intervention strategies.
3.Analysis of Animal Models of Allergic Asthma Based on Data Mining
Han WU ; Zhixiang HU ; Meiqi JI ; Hao YIN ; Yu'e LYU ; Chuntao ZHAI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(5):211-217
ObjectiveTo provide a basis for the establishment of an ideal animal model of allergic asthma by statistically analyzing the modeling characteristics and the selection of indicators of the available models. MethodsWe retrieved the relevant articles from China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), VIP, Wanfang Data, SinoMed, and PubMed with "allergic asthma" as the keyword and the time interval from January 2019 to January 2024. Through integrating the literature and extracting data, we used Excel 2021 to create a personal database and sorted out the animal strains, genders, allergenic substances, modeling routes, and test indicators and methods. Excel 2021, Cytoscape 3.10.2, and SPSS Modeler 18.0 were then used to analyze the relevant characteristics of the animal models. ResultsA total of 418 articles were included in the database, and the comparative analysis showed that the most frequently used animal strain for modeling was BALB/c mice, and female animals were mostly used. The main modeling method was sensitization by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin (OVA), which was combined with intranasal inhalation. The test indicators mainly included appearance signs, cellular analysis, lung histopathology, lung function indicators, and protein and gene expression in the lung. The test methods mainly involved pathological staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blot, and polymerase chain reaction(PCR) assays. ConclusionThere is no recognized modeling method or evaluation standard for the animal models of allergic asthma. Based on the results of data analysis, the OVA-induced allergic asthma model in BALB/c mice is recommended. The main criteria for evaluating the success of modeling are the general behavioral changes, the morphological changes of the airway and inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung tissue, the changes of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the serum, and the alterations of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.
4.Effects and mechanism of astilbin on renal injury in chronic renal failure rats
Xiaowei GAO ; Yingying LIU ; Cong HAN ; Shifei HAO
China Pharmacy 2025;36(4):434-439
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of astilbin (AST) on renal injury in chronic renal failure (CRF) rats based on the Jagged-1/Notch-1 signaling pathway. METHODS CRF model was constructed by 5/6 nephrotomy. The successfully modeled rats were randomly separated into Model group, AST low-dose group (AST-L group), AST high-dose group (AST-H group), high-dose of AST+Notch pathway activator (Jagged-1/FC chimerin, referred to as “JFC”) group (AST-H+ JFC group), and control group (CK group) for open surgery without resection was set up, with 10 rats in each group. The rats in the AST-L group and AST-H group were given 40 and 80 mg/kg AST, respectively; the rats in the AST-H+JFC group were simultaneously given 80 mg/kg AST and 0.5 mg/kg JFC, and the rats in the CK group and Model group were given an equal volume of normal saline, once a day, for 4 weeks. After the last administration, the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), and the level of 24 h urinary protein (UP) in urine, as well as the serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10 in each group were detected. The morphology and fibrosis of renal tissue were observed. The content of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the activities of sodium-potassium ATPase and calcium-magnesium ATPase in mitochondria of renal tissue were detected. The protein expressions of transforming growth factor- β (TGF- β), hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), cleaved-caspase-3, Jagged-1 and Notch-1 in renal tissue were also observed. RESULTS Compared with CK group, the renal tissue of rats in the Model group was obviously damaged, renal tissue fibrosis was severe; the serum BUN and SCr levels, urine UP level, serum 4 LDH, TNF-α and IL-6 levels, as well as the protein expressions of TGF-β, HIF-1α, α-SMA, cleaved-caspase-3, Jagged-1 and Notch-1 in renal tissue were significantly increased, while the serum IL-10 level, ATP content and activities of sodium-potassium ATPase and calcium-magnesium ATPase in mitochondria of renal tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with Model group, the renal tissue damage and fibrosis in the AST groups were reduced, the serum BUN and SCr levels, urine UP level, serum LDH, TNF-α and IL-6 levels, and the protein expressions of TGF-β, HIF-1α, α-SMA, cleaved-caspase-3, Jagged-1 and Notch-1 were significantly decreased, while the serum IL-10 level, ATP content and the activities of sodium-potassium ATPase and calcium-magnesium ATPase in mitochondria were significantly increased; the changes in the aforementioned indicators in AST- H group were more significant than those in the AST-L group(P<0.05). JFC could significantly reverse the improvement effect of high dose of AST on renal injury in CRF rats (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS AST can reduce inflammation in CRF rats, alleviate renal tissue damage and fibrosis, and improve renal mitochondrial capacity metabolism, possibly by inhibiting the Jagged-1/Notch-1 signaling pathway.
5.Effect and mechanism of compatibility of Astragali Radix-Puerariae Lobatae Radix on ferroptosis in T2DM insulin resistance rats
Shuang WEI ; Feng HAO ; Wenchun ZHANG ; Zhangyang ZHAO ; Ji LI ; Dongwei HAN ; Huan XING
China Pharmacy 2025;36(1):57-63
OBJECTIVE To explore the effect and potential mechanism of the compatibility of Astragali Radix-Puerariae Lobatae Radix on ferroptosis of liver cells in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) insulin resistance (IR) rats. METHODS Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (12 rats) and modeling group (48 rats). The modeling group was fed with a high- fat diet for 4 consecutive weeks and then given a one-time tail vein injection of 1% streptozotocin to establish T2DM IR model. The model rats were randomly divided into model group, the compatibility of Astragali Radix-Puerariae Lobatae Radix group [QG group, 4.05 g/(kg·d), intragastric administration], ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 group [Fer-1 group, 5 mg/kg by intraperitoneal injection, once every other day], the compatibility of Astragali Radix-Puerariae Lobatae Radix+ferroptosis inducer erastin group [QG+erastin group, 4.05 g/(kg·d) by intragastric administration+erastin 10 mg/(kg·d), intraperitoneal injection]. After 4 weeks of intervention, serum fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fasting insulin (FINS) were measured in each group of rats, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and the natural logarithm of insulin action index(IAI) were calculated; the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT), Fe2+ and Fe content, glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, NADP+/NADPH ratio and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined. The pathological morphology of its liver tissue was observed; the protein expressions of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1), long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 3 (ACSL3), ACSL4, ferritin mitochondrial (FTMT), and cystine/glutamate anti-porter (xCT) in the liver tissue of rats were detected. RESULTS Compared with control group, the liver cells in the model group of rats showed disordered arrangement, swelling, deepened nuclear staining, and more infiltration of inflammatory cells, as well as a large number of hepatocyte vacuoles and steatosis; FBG (after medication), the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, AST, ALT, FINS, MDA and ROS, HOMA-IR, Fe2+ and Fe content, NADP+/NADPH ratio and protein expression of ACSL4 were significantly increased or up-regulated, while the levels of HDL-C, GSH and SOD, IAI, protein expressions of GPX4, FTH1, ACSL3, FTMT and xCT were significantly reduced or down-regulated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, both QG group and Fer-1 group showed varying degrees of improvement in pathological damage of liver tissue and the levels of the above indicators, the differences in the changes of most indicators were statistically significant (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Compared with QG group, the improvement of the above indexes of QG+erastin group had been reversed significantly (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS The compatibility decoction of Astragali Radix-Puerariae Lobatae Radix can reduce the level of FBG in T2DM IR rats, and alleviate IR degree, ion overload and pathological damage of liver tissue. The above effects are related to the inhibition of ferroptosis.
6.Current research status and application prospects of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in islet transplantation
Rui LI ; Dianxiang WANG ; Zhaowei LIANG ; Bing HAN ; Hao LIAN
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(1):163-168
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic autoimmune disease caused by the destruction of pancreatic islet β cells. Pancreatic islet transplantation provides a treatment method for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus to restore endogenous insulin secretion. However, some problems limit the widespread application of islet transplantation, such as the shortage of donors and post-transplantation rejection damage. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome (MSC-Exo) has become a potential tool for islet transplantation therapy due to their immunomodulatory and tissue repair capabilities. MSC-Exo shows great promise for application, because of low immunogenicity, easily being stored and transported, and the potential as drug delivery vehicles. However, challenges such as preparation, purification, standardization and safety verification need to be overcome before converting MSC-Exo into clinical practice. Therefore, this article reviews the application and potential advantages of MSC-Exo in islet transplantation, aiming to providing more effective and safer treatment options for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
7.Regulating ferroptosis of osteoblasts by traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head
Mianyu ZHANG ; Jie HAN ; Hao ZENG ; Xiangshan CHEN ; Zhengang GAO
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(1):185-192
BACKGROUND:Some studies have found that ferroptosis of osteoblasts can be an important mechanism to induce the occurrence and development of hormone-induced femoral head necrosis.With the development of Chinese medicine,some scholars have found that some Chinese medicine monomer,Chinese medicine compound and Chinese patent medicine can regulate the ferroptosis of osteoblasts through various pathway mechanisms,and finally play a role in the treatment of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between ferroptosis and steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head and the mechanism of Chinese medicine regulating ferroptosis of osteoblasts in the treatment of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head,so as to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head. METHODS:With"ferroptosis,steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head,osteoblast,Chinese herbal medicine,glucocorticoid,iron metabolism,reactive oxygen species,glutathione peroxidase"as Chinese search terms,and"ferroptosis,hormonal necrosis of the femoral head,osteoblast,Chinese herbal medicine,glucocorticoid,iron metabolism,ROS,GPX4"as English search terms,the search was conducted on CNKI,PubMed,WanFang,VIP and other databases.The relevant articles on osteoblast ferroptosis and steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head and the regulation of Chinese herbal medicine intervention from the establishment of each database to 2023 were screened.Finally,76 articles were systematically analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Ferroptosis of osteoblasts plays an important role in the pathogenesis of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head.(2)The occurrence of ferroptosis in osteoblasts is regulated by a variety of mechanisms,such as intracellular iron overload causing ferroptosis.Lipid peroxidation damages cell membrane and causes ferroptosis.Cystine/glutamate reverse transporter induced ferroptosis by influencing glutathione level and glutathione peroxidase 4 activity.Fenton reaction in the cell produces a large number of reactive oxygen species and causes ferroptosis.(3)Chinese medicine monomer icariin,Chinese medicine compound Qinge pills and Chinese patent medicine Bushen Huoxue granules can regulate the occurrence of osteoblast ferroptosis,and help to prevent and treat steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head.(4)The mechanism of ferroptosis in osteoblasts is still unclear.Further investigation on the mechanism of action of both is expected to provide a new choice for clinical treatment of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head.
8.WANG Xiuxia's Clinical Experience in Treating Hyperprolactinemia with Liver Soothing Therapy
Yu WANG ; Danni DING ; Yuehui ZHANG ; Songli HAO ; Meiyu YAO ; Ying GUO ; Yang FU ; Ying SHEN ; Jia LI ; Fangyuan LIU ; Fengjuan HAN
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(14):1428-1432
This paper summarizes Professor WANG Xiuxia's clinical experience in treating hyperprolactinemia using the liver soothing therapy. Professor WANG identifies liver qi stagnation and rebellious chong qi (冲气) as the core pathomechanisms of hyperprolactinemia. Furthermore, liver qi stagnation may transform into fire or lead to pathological changes such as spleen deficiency with phlegm obstruction or kidney deficiency with essence depletion. The treatment strategy centers on soothing the liver, with a modified version of Qinggan Jieyu Decoction (清肝解郁汤) as the base formula. Depending on different syndrome patterns such as liver stagnation transforming into fire, liver stagnation with spleen deficiency, or liver stagnation with kidney deficiency, heat clearing, spleen strengthening, or kidney tonifying herbs are added accordingly. In addition, three paired herb combinations are commonly used for symptom specific treatment, Danggui (Angelica sinensis) with Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong), Zelan (Lycopus lucidus) with Yimucao (Leonurus japonicus) , and Jiegeng (Platycodon grandiflorus) with Zisu (Perilla frutescens).
9.Evaluation of the comprehensive intervention effect on lunch for primary and secondary school students in Minhang District of Shanghai
HU Yuhuan, ZANG Jiajie, XU Huilin, GUO Qi, HAN Yan, TANG Hongmei, YING Fangjia, LIANG Hao
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):191-195
Objective:
To evaluate the comprehensive intervention effect of lunch for primary and secondary school students in Minhang District, so as to provide a theoretical and practical basis for lunch intervention in school.
Methods:
From October to December 2023, a convenience sampling method was used to select 1 937 students from one primary and secondary school in Minhang District.A comprehensive intervention measure focusing on "reducing oil and salt" for lunch recipe optimization and nutrition education was carried out, and a questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate the intervention effect three months later. Chi square test and Wilcoxon rank test were used to compare the data before and after the intervention.
Results:
After intervention, the use of cooking oil and salt, the supply of protein and fat in primary and secondary school lunches were reduced, and had no obvious impact on energy and other major nutrients. After intervention, compared to before intervention, the proportion of primary school students who felt that lunch was greasy decreased (8.9%, 6.2%, χ 2=4.35), and the proportion of primary and secondary school students who felt that lunch were delicious decreased significantly (33.2%, 23.2%; 63.9%, 53.5%, χ 2=26.39, 17.52) ( P < 0.05 ). Secondary school students also felt reduced variety of food ingredients (46.9%, 38.3%, χ 2=16.05, P <0.05). In addition, after intervention, the total surplus rate of primary school students meals decreased (7.4%, 4.4%, χ 2=5.73), mainly reflected in the decrease of the surplus rate of staple foods (7.1%, 2.4%, χ 2=17.39), while the surplus rate of vegetable dishes increased ( 16.0 %, 21.2%, χ 2=6.01) ( P <0.05). Although there was no significant change in the total surplus rate of meals for secondary school students, the surplus rate of staple foods decreased (12.9%, 5.4%, χ 2=33.52), while the surplus rates of meat and vegetable dishes increased (11.2%, 26.9%; 17.5%, 33.2%, χ 2=74.26, 61.88) ( P <0.05). After intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in the overweight and obesity rates of primary school students ( χ 2=0.11,0.43) and secondary school students ( χ 2=0.01,0.00) compared to before intervention( P >0.05). After intervention, the lung capacity of primary school students [1 564 (1 269,1 890) mL] and sitting forward flexion [11.3 (7.6, 15.2) cm] increased compared to before intervention [1 522 (1 259, 1 819 ) mL, 10.5 (6.3, 13.5) cm] ( Z =2.20, 4.68, P <0.01), but there was no statistically significant difference in lung capacity and sitting forward flexion of secondary school students before and after intervention ( Z =-0.46, -0.08, P >0.05).
Conclusion
The comprehensive intervention of school lunch has promoted a significant decrease in the use of oil and salt in lunch and improved the quality of recipes, and has a positive impact on the situation of leftover lunch and the health of students to a certain extent.
10.Effects of honey-processed Astragalus on energy metabolism and polarization of RAW264.7 cells
Hong-chang LI ; Ke PEI ; Wang-yang XIE ; Xiang-long MENG ; Zi-han YU ; Wen-ling LI ; Hao CAI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2025;60(2):459-470
In this study, RAW264.7 cells were employed to investigate the effects of honey-processed


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