Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the retroauricular transmeatal approach in the treatment of condylar head and neck fractures, and to provide a reference for clinical practice. Methods: This study has been reviewed and approved by the institutional medical ethics committee and has obtained informed consent from the patients. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with condylar head and neck fractures treated via the retroauricular transmeatal approach between March and October 2024. Postoperative follow-up was performed for at least 3 months, including clinical and radiographical evaluations. The assessed parameters included facial nerve function, temporal region numbness, hematoma, infection, salivary fistula, mouth opening, malocclusion, mandibular movement function, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and clicking, external auditory canal (EAC) stenosis, hearing function impairment, surgical scar concealment, postoperative reduction and fixation outcomes. Results: A total of 16 patients with condylar fractures were treated via the retroauricular transmeatal approach, including 10 unilateral and 6 bilateral cases. Specifically, 18 sides were condylar head fractures, and 4 sides were condylar neck fractures. All patients achieved a House-Brackmann Grade I, indicating normal facial nerve function postoperatively. On postoperative day 1, 3 sides experienced temporal numbness in the temporal region on the surgical side, with spontaneous resolution in all cases. All patients recovered after surgery without hematoma, infection, or salivary fistula. Limited mouth opening was improved (14 cases with restricted mouth opening preoperatively vs. 3 cases postoperatively). No malocclusion occurred in any patient. All patients achieved satisfactory recovery of postoperative mandibular movement function, manifested as restored range of motion without pain. No TMJ clicking was observed within 3 months after surgery. One keloid-prone patient developed progressive EAC stenosis (2 mm lumen constriction) accompanied by conductive hearing impairment, which recovered after dilation therapy. All patients were satisfied with the aesthetic outcomes. Radiographically parametric assessment demonstrated satisfactory fracture reduction and fixation; with no loosening of titanium plates or screws. Conclusion The retroauricular transmeatal approach effectively reduces the risk of facial nerve injury and salivary fistulas formation with providing concealed scarring and high patient satisfaction. However, caution should be exercised regarding EAC stenosis, especially for keloid-prone patients.

Houpo Qiwutang originated from the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber， and it consists of seven medicines： Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex， Rhei Radix et Rhizoma， Aurantii Fructus Immaturus， Cinnamomi Ramulus， Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens， Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， and Jujubae Fructus. It is a basic formula for the treatment of abdominal fullness. Through the bibliometric method， the historical history， drug base， preparation and dosage， decoction method， and ancient and modern applications of Houpu Qiwu Tang were analyzed by means of textual research. The research finds that Houpu Qiwu Tang has been passed down through the generations in an orderly manner with fewer changes. The drug base of this formula is basically clear， and the base of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex， Rhei Radix et Rhizoma， Cinnamomi Ramulus， Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens， and Jujubae Fructus is consistent with the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The mainstream base of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus is the dried young fruit of Citrus aurantium of Rutaceae family， and the historical mainstream base of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma is the dried root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis of Leguminosae family. The modern dosage of this formula is 110.40 g of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex， 41.40 g of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma， 69 g of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus， 27.60 g of Cinnamomi Ramulus， 69 g of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens， 41.40 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， and 30 g of Jujubae Fructus. In addition， the decoction method is to add 2 000 mL of water with the above seven flavors of the medicine， boil it to 800 mL， and then take 160 mL in a warm state each time. The amount of the medicine taken for each time is 22.08 g of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex， 8.28 g of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma， 13.80 g of Aurantii Fructus Immaturus， 5.52 g of Cinnamomi Ramulus， 13.80 g of Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens， 8.28 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， and 6 g of Jujubae Fructus. The modern application of this formula involves the digestive system， respiratory system， and urinary system. It is more advantageous in digestive system diseases such as early postoperative inflammatory bowel obstruction， functional dyspepsia， gastric pain， functional abdominal distension， and gastric reflux esophagitis. By comprehensively examining the key information of Houpu Qiwu Tang， this paper aims to provide literature support for the development and clinical application of this formula.

Background and Objectives: The Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular UltrasoundGuided Intervention Strategy for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis (FLAVOUR) trial demonstrated non-inferiority of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI. We sought to investigate the cost-effectiveness of FFR-guided PCI compared to IVUS-guided PCI in Korea. Methods: A 2-part cost-effectiveness model, composed of a short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model, was developed for patients who underwent PCI to treat intermediate stenosis (40% to 70% stenosis by visual estimation on coronary angiography).The lifetime healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated from the healthcare system perspective. Transition probabilities were mainly referred from the FLAVOUR trial, and healthcare costs were mainly obtained through analysis of Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Health utilities were mainly obtained from the Seattle Angina Questionnaire responses of FLAVOUR trial participants mapped to EQ-5D. Results: From the Korean healthcare system perspective, the base-case analysis showed that FFR-guided PCI was 2,451 U.S. dollar lower in lifetime healthcare costs and 0.178 higher in QALYs compared to IVUS-guided PCI. FFR-guided PCI remained more likely to be cost-effective over a wide range of willingness-to-pay thresholds in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Conclusions Based on the results from the FLAVOUR trial, FFR-guided PCI is projected to decrease lifetime healthcare costs and increase QALYs compared with IVUS-guided PCI in intermediate coronary lesion, and it is a dominant strategy in Korea.

Background and Objectives: The Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular UltrasoundGuided Intervention Strategy for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis (FLAVOUR) trial demonstrated non-inferiority of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI. We sought to investigate the cost-effectiveness of FFR-guided PCI compared to IVUS-guided PCI in Korea. Methods: A 2-part cost-effectiveness model, composed of a short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model, was developed for patients who underwent PCI to treat intermediate stenosis (40% to 70% stenosis by visual estimation on coronary angiography).The lifetime healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated from the healthcare system perspective. Transition probabilities were mainly referred from the FLAVOUR trial, and healthcare costs were mainly obtained through analysis of Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Health utilities were mainly obtained from the Seattle Angina Questionnaire responses of FLAVOUR trial participants mapped to EQ-5D. Results: From the Korean healthcare system perspective, the base-case analysis showed that FFR-guided PCI was 2,451 U.S. dollar lower in lifetime healthcare costs and 0.178 higher in QALYs compared to IVUS-guided PCI. FFR-guided PCI remained more likely to be cost-effective over a wide range of willingness-to-pay thresholds in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Conclusions Based on the results from the FLAVOUR trial, FFR-guided PCI is projected to decrease lifetime healthcare costs and increase QALYs compared with IVUS-guided PCI in intermediate coronary lesion, and it is a dominant strategy in Korea.

Background and Objectives: The Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular UltrasoundGuided Intervention Strategy for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis (FLAVOUR) trial demonstrated non-inferiority of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI. We sought to investigate the cost-effectiveness of FFR-guided PCI compared to IVUS-guided PCI in Korea. Methods: A 2-part cost-effectiveness model, composed of a short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model, was developed for patients who underwent PCI to treat intermediate stenosis (40% to 70% stenosis by visual estimation on coronary angiography).The lifetime healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated from the healthcare system perspective. Transition probabilities were mainly referred from the FLAVOUR trial, and healthcare costs were mainly obtained through analysis of Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Health utilities were mainly obtained from the Seattle Angina Questionnaire responses of FLAVOUR trial participants mapped to EQ-5D. Results: From the Korean healthcare system perspective, the base-case analysis showed that FFR-guided PCI was 2,451 U.S. dollar lower in lifetime healthcare costs and 0.178 higher in QALYs compared to IVUS-guided PCI. FFR-guided PCI remained more likely to be cost-effective over a wide range of willingness-to-pay thresholds in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Conclusions Based on the results from the FLAVOUR trial, FFR-guided PCI is projected to decrease lifetime healthcare costs and increase QALYs compared with IVUS-guided PCI in intermediate coronary lesion, and it is a dominant strategy in Korea.

Background and Objectives: The Fractional Flow Reserve and Intravascular UltrasoundGuided Intervention Strategy for Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Intermediate Stenosis (FLAVOUR) trial demonstrated non-inferiority of fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-guided PCI. We sought to investigate the cost-effectiveness of FFR-guided PCI compared to IVUS-guided PCI in Korea. Methods: A 2-part cost-effectiveness model, composed of a short-term decision tree model and a long-term Markov model, was developed for patients who underwent PCI to treat intermediate stenosis (40% to 70% stenosis by visual estimation on coronary angiography).The lifetime healthcare costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated from the healthcare system perspective. Transition probabilities were mainly referred from the FLAVOUR trial, and healthcare costs were mainly obtained through analysis of Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Health utilities were mainly obtained from the Seattle Angina Questionnaire responses of FLAVOUR trial participants mapped to EQ-5D. Results: From the Korean healthcare system perspective, the base-case analysis showed that FFR-guided PCI was 2,451 U.S. dollar lower in lifetime healthcare costs and 0.178 higher in QALYs compared to IVUS-guided PCI. FFR-guided PCI remained more likely to be cost-effective over a wide range of willingness-to-pay thresholds in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Conclusions Based on the results from the FLAVOUR trial, FFR-guided PCI is projected to decrease lifetime healthcare costs and increase QALYs compared with IVUS-guided PCI in intermediate coronary lesion, and it is a dominant strategy in Korea.

Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans ; Dental Cementum/injuries* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tooth Fractures/therapy*

Objective To study the protective effects and mechanism of sacubitril(Sac)/valsartan(Val)on cardiomyocytes of rabbits with heart failure induced by doxorubicin(DOX).Methods Thirty New Zealand rabbits were selected to establish DOX-induced heart failure rabbit model.Twenty-five rabbits with successful modeling were randomly assigned to model group(DOX group,n=9),DOX+Val group(n=8),and DOX+Sac/Val group(n=8);and another 8 New Zealand rabbits were selected as blank group.The DOX+Val group was gavaged with 4.65 mg/kg Val suspension each time,the DOX+Sac/Val group was gavaged with 9.3 mg/kg Sac/Val suspension each time,and the blank group and DOX group were gavaged with equal volume of distilled water each time.Each group was gavaged twice a day for 8 weeks.After 8 weeks of administration,echocardiography was used to measure left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVDD),left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVSD),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),and left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS).The heart mass index(HMI)and left ventricular mass index(LVMI)were calculated.The pathological morphology and myocardial fibrosis of myocardial tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(H-E)and Masson staining.The ultrastructure of cardiomyocytes was observed by transmission electron microscope.Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)staining was used to observe cardiomyocytes apoptosis and apoptosis rate was calculated.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP),high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I(Hs-cTNI),angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ),aldosterone(ALD),atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP),brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP),and protein kinase G(PKG)in serum.Quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)was used to detect the expression of natriuretic peptide receptor A(NPR-A),cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase 5A(PDE5A[cGMP]),PKG,B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax),and cysteine aspartate protease 3(caspase 3)mRNA in myocardial tissue.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein(p-CREB),phosphorylated Bcl-2 related death promoting factor(p-Bad),Bcl-2,Bax,and caspase 3 proteins in myocardial tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the LVDD and LVSD in the DOX group were increased(both P<0.01),the LVEF and LVFS were decreased(both P<0.01)and the HMI and LVMI were increased(both P<0.01);the apoptosis and apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes were increased(P<0.01);the levels of NT-proBNP,Hs-cTNI,Ang Ⅱ,ALD,ANP,BNP,cGMP and PKG and the expression of NPR-A,PDE5A(cGMP),PKG,p-CREB,Bax and caspase 3 were all increased(all P<0.01),while the expression of Bcl-2 was decreased(P<0.01),and the expression of p-Bad had no significant difference(P>0.05).Compared with the DOX group,the LVDD and LVSD of the DOX+Sac/Val group and DOX+Val group were decreased(all P<0.01),the LVEF and LVFS were increased(all P<0.01)and the HMI and the LVMI were decreased(all P<0.01);the apoptosis and apoptosis rate of cardiomyocytes were decreased(all P<0.01);the levels of NT-proBNP,Hs-cTNI,Ang Ⅱ,ALD,ANP,BNP,cGMP and PKG and the expression of NPR-A,PDE5A(cGMP),PKG,Bax and caspase 3 were all decreased(all P<0.01),while the expression of Bcl-2 was increased(P<0.01);and the expression of p-CREB and p-Bad was increased in the DOX+Sac/Val group(both P<0.01),but there was no significant difference in the DOX+Val group(both P>0.05).Compared with the DOX+Val group,the DOX+Sac/Val group showed a decrease in all indicators except for LVEF,LVFS,NPR-A,ANP,BNP,cGMP,PDE5A(cGMP),PKG,p-CREB,p-Bad,and Bcl-2,which were all elevated(all P<0.05).Myocardial pathology and transmission electron microscopy showed that Sac/Val effectively protected cardiomyocytes,reduced cardiomyocytes apoptosis and myocardial fibrosis,and these effects were significantly better than those of Val.Conclusion Sac/Val can effectively reduce cardiomyocytes apoptosis,improve cardiac function and reduce myocardial fibrosis in rabbits with heart failure,and these effects are superior to Val.Its mechanism may be related to activating the NPR-A/cGMP/PKG signaling pathway and inhibiting renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Objective To summarize the clinical experience of using 3D planar guide plate combined with bundle diameter technology for extracorporeal pre-fenestration in treating complex thoracoabdominal aortic diseases.Methods The clinical data of 31 patients with complex thoracoabdominal aortic diseases,who were treated with 3D planar guide plate combined with bundle diameter technology of extracorporeal pre-fenestration at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University of China from January 2017 to February 2024,were retrospectively analyzed.The patients' preoperative thin-layer chest and abdominal vascular CTA data were imported into specialized software and to create a 3D planar guide plate.Under the guidance of 3D planar guide plate technology,precise extracorporeal pre-fenestration of aortic covered stent was performed,and combined with bundle diameter technology the endovascular repair of complex thoracoabdominal aortic disease was accomplished.Results Successful operation was accomplished in all patients,and two patients had failed visceral artery reconstruction surgery.The median follow-up time was 55 months,with a technical success rate of 97.6％.The postoperative follow-up blood flow patency rate was 100％,and the phase Ⅰ patency rate of branch arteries was 98％.Three patients experienced internal leakage after surgery,and none of them developed paraplegia or died during the perioperative period.Conclusion In treating complex thoracoabdominal aortic diseases,the use of 3D planar guide plate combined with bundle diameter technology of extracorporeal pre-fenestration is simple,safe and effective,with good short-term therapeutic effect,although its long-term efficacy need to be further investigated.

Objective To use imaging features of pulmonary nodules to predict the risk of lymph node metastasis in patients with cT1-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), providing a reference for clinical decision-making. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the imaging features and postoperative pathological results of cT1 NSCLC patients who underwent surgical treatment at Linyi People’s Hospital from July 2019 to July 2022. Patients were grouped and analyzed according to lymph node metastasis status. Results A total of 1 123 patients were included, comprising 471 males and 652 females, with a median age of 59 (52, 66) years. Comparative analysis revealed that sex, age, nodule location, nodule size on imaging, solid component size, consolidation tumor ratio (CTR), average CT value, and tumor proximity to the pleura all influenced lymph node metastasis. A nomogram was constructed, indicating that the probability of lymph node metastasis in cT1 NSCLC was positively correlated with solid component size, CTR, and average CT value of the pulmonary nodule, and negatively correlated with patient age. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.929. Conclusion For cT1 NSCLC patients, the probability of lymph node metastasis can be predicted by measuring the solid component size, CTR, and average CT value of the pulmonary nodule, in conjunction with patient age. However, relying solely on pulmonary nodule imaging characteristics is insufficient to determine a specific lymph node dissection strategy.