Objective To investigate the role and clinical significance of Calpain activity and 145 kDa cleavage fragments of αⅡ-spec-trin breakdown products(SBDP145)in systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).Methods 124 patients with confirmed SLE and de-tailed clinical data were collected as the SLE group,and 75 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group.Their serum samples were collected,and serum SBDP145 levels and Calpain activity were de-tected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)and substrate-based method,respectively.The Mann-Whitney U test,Spearman rank correlation,univariate and multivariate Logistic regression,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve were used to evaluate the clinical value of Calpain activity and SBDP145 in the diagnosis and assessment of SLE.Results Compared with healthy controls,serum Calpain activity([17.000[8.5000,33.500]RFU vs 7.500[4.000,12.500]RFU)and SBDP145 levels(5.283[3.532,9.463]ng/mL vs 1.472[0.994,2.212]ng/mL)in SLE patients were significantly increased(Z=-9.229,P<0.001;Z=-6.881,P<0.001).Furthermore,the Calpain activity was significantly correlated with SLE disease activity index(SLEDAI-2K)score(r=0.349,P<0.001).Logistic regression analysis showed that the increased Calpain activity and SBDP145 levels were significantly associated with the occurrence of SLE(OR=1.164,95％CI:1.016-1.334,P=0.029;OR=3.822,95％CI:1.928-7.574,P<0.001).The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve(AUCROC)of serum Calpain activity in distin-guishing SLE and healthy controls was 0.762(95％CI:0.697-0.827).When the cut-off value was 13.75 RFU,its sensitivity and speci-ficity were 63.1％and 81.1％,respectively.The AUCROC of serum SBDP145 levels in distinguishing SLE and healthy controls was 0.891(95％CI:0.845-0.936).When the cut-off value was 2.377 ng/mL,its sensitivity and specificity were 88.7％and 80.0％,re-spectively.The AUCROC,sensitivity,and specificity of combining the two with traditional SLE clinical indicators,including complement C3,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,and anti-dsDNA antibodies,in the diagnosis of SLE reached 0.986(95％CI:0.972-1.000),93.3％,and 96.0％,respectively.The Spearman correlation analysis results showed that the organ damage index(SDI)score of SLE patients was positively correlated with serum Calpain activity and SBDP145 levels(r=0.342,P<0.001;r=0.250,P=0.005).Con-clusion The elevated Calpain activity and SBDP145 levels are closely related to the occurrence and development of SLE,suggesting that they may be served as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and assessment of SLE patients.

Apical microsurgery is accurate and minimally invasive, produces few complications, and has a success rate of more than 90%. However, due to the lack of awareness and understanding of apical microsurgery by dental general practitioners and even endodontists, many clinical problems remain to be overcome. The consensus has gathered well-known domestic experts to hold a series of special discussions and reached the consensus. This document specifies the indications, contraindications, preoperative preparations, operational procedures, complication prevention measures, and efficacy evaluation of apical microsurgery and is applicable to dentists who perform apical microsurgery after systematic training.
Microsurgery/standards* ; Humans ; Apicoectomy ; Contraindications, Procedure ; Tooth Apex/diagnostic imaging* ; Postoperative Complications/prevention & control* ; Consensus ; Treatment Outcome

Pulpotomy, which belongs to vital pulp therapy, has become a strategy for managing pulpitis in recent decades. This minimally invasive treatment reflects the recognition of preserving healthy dental pulp and optimizing long-term patient-centered outcomes. Pulpotomy is categorized into partial pulpotomy (PP), the removal of a partial segment of the coronal pulp tissue, and full pulpotomy (FP), the removal of whole coronal pulp, which is followed by applying the biomaterials onto the remaining pulp tissue and ultimately restoring the tooth. Procedural decisions for the amount of pulp tissue removal or retention depend on the diagnostic of pulp vitality, the overall treatment plan, the patient's general health status, and pulp inflammation reassessment during operation. This statement represents the consensus of an expert committee convened by the Society of Cariology and Endodontics, Chinese Stomatological Association. It addresses the current evidence to support the application of pulpotomy as a potential alternative to root canal treatment (RCT) on mature permanent teeth with pulpitis from a biological basis, the development of capping biomaterial, and the diagnostic considerations to evidence-based medicine. This expert statement intends to provide a clinical protocol of pulpotomy, which facilitates practitioners in choosing the optimal procedure and increasing their confidence in this rapidly evolving field.
Humans ; Calcium Compounds/therapeutic use* ; Consensus ; Dental Pulp ; Dentition, Permanent ; Oxides/therapeutic use* ; Pulpitis/therapy* ; Pulpotomy/standards*

Objective To investigate the role and clinical significance of Calpain activity and 145 kDa cleavage fragments of αⅡ-spec-trin breakdown products(SBDP145)in systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).Methods 124 patients with confirmed SLE and de-tailed clinical data were collected as the SLE group,and 75 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group.Their serum samples were collected,and serum SBDP145 levels and Calpain activity were de-tected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)and substrate-based method,respectively.The Mann-Whitney U test,Spearman rank correlation,univariate and multivariate Logistic regression,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve were used to evaluate the clinical value of Calpain activity and SBDP145 in the diagnosis and assessment of SLE.Results Compared with healthy controls,serum Calpain activity([17.000[8.5000,33.500]RFU vs 7.500[4.000,12.500]RFU)and SBDP145 levels(5.283[3.532,9.463]ng/mL vs 1.472[0.994,2.212]ng/mL)in SLE patients were significantly increased(Z=-9.229,P<0.001;Z=-6.881,P<0.001).Furthermore,the Calpain activity was significantly correlated with SLE disease activity index(SLEDAI-2K)score(r=0.349,P<0.001).Logistic regression analysis showed that the increased Calpain activity and SBDP145 levels were significantly associated with the occurrence of SLE(OR=1.164,95％CI:1.016-1.334,P=0.029;OR=3.822,95％CI:1.928-7.574,P<0.001).The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve(AUCROC)of serum Calpain activity in distin-guishing SLE and healthy controls was 0.762(95％CI:0.697-0.827).When the cut-off value was 13.75 RFU,its sensitivity and speci-ficity were 63.1％and 81.1％,respectively.The AUCROC of serum SBDP145 levels in distinguishing SLE and healthy controls was 0.891(95％CI:0.845-0.936).When the cut-off value was 2.377 ng/mL,its sensitivity and specificity were 88.7％and 80.0％,re-spectively.The AUCROC,sensitivity,and specificity of combining the two with traditional SLE clinical indicators,including complement C3,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,and anti-dsDNA antibodies,in the diagnosis of SLE reached 0.986(95％CI:0.972-1.000),93.3％,and 96.0％,respectively.The Spearman correlation analysis results showed that the organ damage index(SDI)score of SLE patients was positively correlated with serum Calpain activity and SBDP145 levels(r=0.342,P<0.001;r=0.250,P=0.005).Con-clusion The elevated Calpain activity and SBDP145 levels are closely related to the occurrence and development of SLE,suggesting that they may be served as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and assessment of SLE patients.

Endodontic diseases are a kind of chronic infectious oral disease.Common endodontic treatment concepts are based on the removal of inflamed or necrotic pulp tissue and the replacement by gutta-percha.However,it is very essential for endodontic treatment to debride the root canal system and prevent the root canal system from bacterial reinfection after root canal therapy(RCT).Recent research,encompassing bacterial etiology and advanced imaging techniques,contributes to our understanding of the root canal system's anatomy intricacies and the technique sensitivity of RCT.Success in RCT hinges on factors like patients,infection severity,root canal anatomy,and treatment techniques.Therefore,improving disease management is a key issue to combat endodontic diseases and cure periapical lesions.The clinical difficulty assessment system of RCT is established based on patient conditions,tooth conditions,root canal configuration,and root canal needing retreatment,and emphasizes pre-treatment risk assessment for optimal outcomes.The findings suggest that the presence of risk factors may correlate with the challenge of achieving the high standard required for RCT.These insights contribute not only to improve education but also aid practitioners in treatment planning and referral decision-making within the field of endodontics.

Chemical cleaning and disinfection are crucial steps for eliminating infection in root canal treatment.However,irrigant selection or irrigation procedures are far from clear.The vapor lock effect in the apical region has yet to be solved,impeding irrigation efficacy and resulting in residual infections and compromised treatment outcomes.Additionally,ambiguous clinical indications for root canal medication and non-standardized dressing protocols must be clarified.Inappropriate intracanal medication may present side effects and jeopardize the therapeutic outcomes.Indeed,clinicians have been aware of these concerns for years.Based on the current evidence of studies,this article reviews the properties of various irrigants and intracanal medicaments and elucidates their effectiveness and interactions.The evolution of different kinetic irrigation methods,their effects,limitations,the paradigm shift,current indications,and effective operational procedures regarding intracanal medication are also discussed.This expert consensus aims to establish the clinical operation guidelines for root canal irrigation and a position statement on intracanal medication,thus facilitating a better understanding of infection control,standardizing clinical practice,and ultimately improving the success of endodontic therapy.

Ferroptosis is a new programmed cell death dependent on iron ions.Ferroptosis can be induced by endogenous or exogenous pathways,and cells exhibit specific cell morphological signs and are regulated by a variety of molecular mechanisms.In recent years,more and more studies have shown that ferroptosis plays an important role in the treatment of cancer.This article summarizes the mechanism of ferroptosis in bladder cancer and the regulation of cancer cells,as well as the role of ferroptosis-related factors,non-coding RNA regulation,N6-methyladenosine(m6A),amino acid metabolism and autophagy dependent ferroptosis in the growth and proliferation of bladder cancer,with a view to provide new strategies for the treatment of bladder cancer.

AIM:The objective of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effect of Erjing pills(PL)on the functional impairment of the diabetic retinal neurovascular unit(NVU)in rats.METHODS:A diabetic retinopathy(DR)model was established using BN rats,which were then treated with freeze-dried Erjing pills powder.After 12 weeks,various assessments were conducted:retinal thickness was measured using OCT,fundus lesions were evaluated with FFA,and retinal cell structure,arrangement,and layer thickness were analyzed through HE staining.Additionally,transmission electron microscopy was employed to examine ultrastructural changes in retinal ganglion cells(RGCs),and retinal leakage was assessed using EB in vivo perfusion.The expression of ZO-1,a tight junction protein in the retina,was detected via immunohistochemistry,while Western blot analysis quantified the levels of ZO-1,occludin,and claudin-5 proteins in rat retinal tissue.Serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)levels were measured using an ELISA kit.RESULTS:Results showed that OCT,FFA,HE staining,and transmission electron microscopy indicated a significant reduction in retinal thickness in the MOD group compared to the CON group(P＜0.05).In contrast,the retinal thickness increased in the CDC,PLL,and PLH groups compared to the MOD group,with significant improvement observed in the PLH group(P＜0.05).Additionally,the number of RGCs increased,and sodium fluorescein leakage from fundus mi-crovessels decreased in the CON group relative to the administered groups.Transmission electron microscopy revealed ir-regular deformation of RGC nuclei,mitochondrial reduction and swelling,and organelle loss in the MOD group compared to the CON group.However,the CDC,PLL,and PLH groups demonstrated varying degrees of improvement in cellular layers.EB leakage assay results indicated a significant increase in retinal EB leakage in the MOD group compared to the CON group(P＜0.01).EB leakage was significantly reduced in the CDC group compared to the MOD group(P＜0.01),with some reduction also observed in the PLL and PLH groups(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses revealed a significant decrease in the expression of retinal tight junction proteins ZO-1,occludin,and clau-din-5 in the MOD group compared to the CON group(P＜0.05).Protein expression was notably higher in the CDC group compared to the MOD group(P＜0.01),with increases also observed in the PLL and PLH groups(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).ELISA results showed that VEGF levels were significantly higher in the MOD group compared to the CON group(P＜0.01).The CDC,PLL,and PLH groups exhibited varying degrees of reduction in VEGF levels compared to the MOD group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:These findings suggest that PL effectively ameliorates retinal NVU damage in DR rats.

AIM:The objective of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effect of Erjing pills(PL)on the functional impairment of the diabetic retinal neurovascular unit(NVU)in rats.METHODS:A diabetic retinopathy(DR)model was established using BN rats,which were then treated with freeze-dried Erjing pills powder.After 12 weeks,various assessments were conducted:retinal thickness was measured using OCT,fundus lesions were evaluated with FFA,and retinal cell structure,arrangement,and layer thickness were analyzed through HE staining.Additionally,transmission electron microscopy was employed to examine ultrastructural changes in retinal ganglion cells(RGCs),and retinal leakage was assessed using EB in vivo perfusion.The expression of ZO-1,a tight junction protein in the retina,was detected via immunohistochemistry,while Western blot analysis quantified the levels of ZO-1,occludin,and claudin-5 proteins in rat retinal tissue.Serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)levels were measured using an ELISA kit.RESULTS:Results showed that OCT,FFA,HE staining,and transmission electron microscopy indicated a significant reduction in retinal thickness in the MOD group compared to the CON group(P＜0.05).In contrast,the retinal thickness increased in the CDC,PLL,and PLH groups compared to the MOD group,with significant improvement observed in the PLH group(P＜0.05).Additionally,the number of RGCs increased,and sodium fluorescein leakage from fundus mi-crovessels decreased in the CON group relative to the administered groups.Transmission electron microscopy revealed ir-regular deformation of RGC nuclei,mitochondrial reduction and swelling,and organelle loss in the MOD group compared to the CON group.However,the CDC,PLL,and PLH groups demonstrated varying degrees of improvement in cellular layers.EB leakage assay results indicated a significant increase in retinal EB leakage in the MOD group compared to the CON group(P＜0.01).EB leakage was significantly reduced in the CDC group compared to the MOD group(P＜0.01),with some reduction also observed in the PLL and PLH groups(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses revealed a significant decrease in the expression of retinal tight junction proteins ZO-1,occludin,and clau-din-5 in the MOD group compared to the CON group(P＜0.05).Protein expression was notably higher in the CDC group compared to the MOD group(P＜0.01),with increases also observed in the PLL and PLH groups(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).ELISA results showed that VEGF levels were significantly higher in the MOD group compared to the CON group(P＜0.01).The CDC,PLL,and PLH groups exhibited varying degrees of reduction in VEGF levels compared to the MOD group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:These findings suggest that PL effectively ameliorates retinal NVU damage in DR rats.

The dental operative microscope has been widely employed in the field of dentistry, particularly in endodontics and operative dentistry, resulting in significant advancements in the effectiveness of root canal therapy, endodontic surgery, and dental restoration. However, the improper use of this microscope continues to be common in clinical settings, primarily due to operators' insufficient understanding and proficiency in both the features and established operating procedures of this equipment. In October 2019, Professor Jingping Liang, Vice Chairman of the Society of Cariology and Endodontology, Chinese Stomatological Association, organized a consensus meeting with Chinese experts in endodontics and operative dentistry. The objective of this meeting was to establish a standard operation procedure for the dental operative microscope. Subsequently, a consensus was reached and officially issued. Over the span of about four years, the content of this consensus has been further developed and improved through practical experience.
Humans ; Dentistry, Operative ; Consensus ; Endodontics ; Root Canal Therapy ; Dental Care