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.

To explore the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and integrative TCM-Western medicine approaches in the treatment of diabetic microvascular complications （DMC）， refine key pathophysiological insights and treatment principles， and promote academic innovation and strategic research planning in the prevention and treatment of DMC. The 38th session of the Expert Salon on Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine， hosted by the China Association of Chinese Medicine， was held in Beijing， 2024. Experts in TCM， Western medicine， and interdisciplinary fields convened to conduct a systematic discussion on the pathogenesis， diagnostic and treatment challenges， and mechanism research related to DMC， ultimately forming a consensus on key directions. Four major research recommendations were proposed. The first is addressing clinical bottlenecks in the prevention and control of DMC by optimizing TCM-based evidence evaluation systems. The second is refining TCM core pathogenesis across DMC stages and establishing corresponding "disease-pattern-time" framework. The third is innovating mechanism research strategies to facilitate a shift from holistic regulation to targeted intervention in TCM. The fourth is advancing interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance the role of TCM in new drug development， research prioritization， and guideline formulation. TCM and integrative approaches offer distinct advantages in managing DMC. With a focus on the diseases responding specifically to TCM， strengthening evidence-based support and mechanism interpretation and promoting the integration of clinical care and research innovation will provide strong momentum for the modernization of TCM and the advancement of national health strategies.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common head and neck malignancy. Approximately 50% to 60% of patients with OSCC are diagnosed at a locally advanced stage (clinical staging III-IVa). Even with comprehensive and sequential treatment primarily based on surgery, the 5-year overall survival rate remains below 50%, and patients often suffer from postoperative functional impairments such as difficulties with speaking and swallowing. Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitors are increasingly used in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC and have shown encouraging efficacy. However, clinical practice still faces key challenges, including the definition of indications, optimization of combination regimens, and standards for efficacy evaluation. Based on the latest research advances worldwide and the clinical experience of the expert group, this expert consensus systematically evaluates the application of PD-1 inhibitors in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC, covering combination strategies, treatment cycles and surgical timing, efficacy assessment, use of biomarkers, management of special populations and immune related adverse events, principles for immunotherapy rechallenge, and function preservation strategies. After multiple rounds of panel discussion and through anonymous voting using the Delphi method, the following consensus statements have been formulated: 1) Neoadjuvant therapy with PD-1 inhibitors can be used preoperatively in patients with locally advanced OSCC. The preferred regimen is a PD-1 inhibitor combined with platinum based chemotherapy, administered for 2-3 cycles. 2) During the efficacy evaluation of neoadjuvant therapy, radiographic assessment should follow the dual criteria of Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 and immune RECIST (iRECIST). After surgery, systematic pathological evaluation of both the primary lesion and regional lymph nodes is required. For combination chemotherapy regimens, PD-L1 expression and combined positive score need not be used as mandatory inclusion or exclusion criteria. 3) For special populations such as the elderly (≥ 70 years), individuals with stable HIV viral load, and carriers of chronic HBV/HCV, PD-1 inhibitors may be used cautiously under the guidance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), with close monitoring for adverse events. 4) For patients with a poor response to neoadjuvant therapy, continuation of the original treatment regimen is not recommended; the subsequent treatment plan should be adjusted promptly after MDT assessment. Organ transplant recipients and patients with active autoimmune diseases are not recommended to receive neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor therapy due to the high risk of immune related activation. Rechallenge is generally not advised for patients who have experienced high risk immune related adverse events such as immune mediated myocarditis, neurotoxicity, or pneumonitis. 5) For patients with a good pathological response, individualized de escalation surgery and function preservation strategies can be explored. This consensus aims to promote the standardized, safe, and precise application of neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor strategies in the management of locally advanced OSCC patients.

Parkinson's disease （PD） is a complex neurodegenerative disease involving multiple systems and neurotransmitters. Due to the high clinical heterogeneity of PD，it is urgent to establish a comprehensive and long-term traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） management model. In this paper，the conceptual framework of full-cycle management of PD is preliminarily constructed：based on the evolution of the pathophysiological mechanisms of protein deposition and neurotransmitter disorder in PD，the three-stage syndrome characteristics of the prodromal stage （predominant healthy Qi with subtle pathogenic factors），the early clinical stage （declining healthy Qi with growing pathogenic factors） and the middle and late stages （overwhelming pathogenic factors with deficient healthy Qi） are longitudinally described. Through the syndrome differentiation of visceral manifestations，the etiology and pathogenesis of PD motor and non-motor symptoms were comprehensively analyzed，while the matching treatment methods and prescriptions were inferred，and the modular scheme of the combining main symptoms，accompanying symptoms and secondary symptoms was proposed. The conceptual gap of TCM regarding motor complications （'variable syndrome'） and PD-related hyperpyrexia syndrome （'critical syndrome'） was explained. This framework reflects the characteristics of combination of disease and syndrome and overall constant motion，and provides new theories and research ideas for individualized and whole-process management of PD in TCM.

Parkinson's disease （PD） is a complex neurodegenerative disease involving multiple systems and neurotransmitters. Due to the high clinical heterogeneity of PD，it is urgent to establish a comprehensive and long-term traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） management model. In this paper，the conceptual framework of full-cycle management of PD is preliminarily constructed：based on the evolution of the pathophysiological mechanisms of protein deposition and neurotransmitter disorder in PD，the three-stage syndrome characteristics of the prodromal stage （predominant healthy Qi with subtle pathogenic factors），the early clinical stage （declining healthy Qi with growing pathogenic factors） and the middle and late stages （overwhelming pathogenic factors with deficient healthy Qi） are longitudinally described. Through the syndrome differentiation of visceral manifestations，the etiology and pathogenesis of PD motor and non-motor symptoms were comprehensively analyzed，while the matching treatment methods and prescriptions were inferred，and the modular scheme of the combining main symptoms，accompanying symptoms and secondary symptoms was proposed. The conceptual gap of TCM regarding motor complications （'variable syndrome'） and PD-related hyperpyrexia syndrome （'critical syndrome'） was explained. This framework reflects the characteristics of combination of disease and syndrome and overall constant motion，and provides new theories and research ideas for individualized and whole-process management of PD in TCM.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether Huanglian Jiedutang （HLJD） and its major active constituents （geniposide， baicalin， and berberine） can inhibit the inflammatory response of BV2 cells under lipopolysaccharide （LPS） stimulation via the high-mobility group protein B1 （HMGB1）/Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway， and to explore differences in therapeutic efficacy among the three monomers， their combined formula， and HLJD under equal content ratios. MethodsBV2 microglial cells were used as the primary experimental model. Cell viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） method to examine the effects of different concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide （DMSO， 0.8%， 0.4%， 0.2%， 0.1%， and 0.05%） on cell viability. IncuCyte was employed to monitor the growth of cells under different concentrations of HLJD （200， 100， 50， 25， 12.5， 6.25 mg·L^-1）. Nitric oxide （NO） assay was used to screen the optimal HLJD concentration. High-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） determined the content of geniposide， baicalin， and berberine in HLJD， and experimental groups were subsequently established according to the relative proportions of these constituents. CCK-8 assay evaluated cell viability under different treatments. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） measured levels of inflammatory factors （TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， IL-10） in the supernatant. Flow cytometry assessed the effects of treatments on M1-type polarization of BV2 cells. Western blot determined the expression levels of HMGB1， TLR4， and NF-κB-related proteins. ResultsCompared with the blank group， DMSO at concentrations ≤0.2% did not affect cell viability within 48 h. BV2 cell growth plateaued at 24 h after treatment with 200 mg·L^-1 HLJD. Under stimulation with 2 mg·L^-1 LPS， this concentration of HLJD effectively reduced NO release， and 6 h pre-treatment had a stronger inhibitory effect on NO than direct administration. HPLC results showed that 1 mg of HLJD freeze-dried powder contained approximately 24 μg of geniposide， 15 μg of baicalin， and 30 μg of berberine. Based on these ratios， experimental groups were blank， LPS （2 mg·L^-1）， HLJD （200 mg·L^-1）， monomer combination， geniposide （4.8 mg·L^-1）， baicalin （3 mg·L^-1）， and berberine （6 mg·L^-1）. The monomer combination group consisted of all three active constituents dissolved together. LPS and HLJD or its active constituents did not affect cell viability compared with the blank group. LPS significantly increased TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， and IL-10 in the supernatant （P<0.01）. HLJD and its active constituents significantly reduced pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.05， P<0.01） while upregulating anti-inflammatory IL-10 （P<0.01）， with the monomer combination showing the strongest effect （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， LPS significantly increased the proportion of CD80⁺CD86⁺ （M1-type） BV2 cells （P<0.01）. HLJD and its constituents partially inhibited M1 polarization （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the monomer combination exhibiting the most pronounced effect （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， LPS upregulated HMGB1， TLR4， and NF-κB-related proteins （P<0.01）， whereas HLJD and its active constituents significantly reduced their expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the monomer combination having the strongest regulatory effect （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionHLJD and its major active constituents （geniposide， baicalin， berberine） can inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory responses in BV2 cells. The combination of the three active constituents demonstrates the most potent anti-inflammatory effect， significantly attenuating M1-type polarization of BV2 cells via the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

[Objective] To explore the clinical features of IgG4-related urinary diseases so as to provide reference for the diagnosis and treatment of such diseases. [Methods] The clinical data of 4 cases of IgG4-related urinary system diseases diagnosed and treated in Xijing Hospital of Air Force Medical University during Aug.2019 and Dec.2023 were retrospectively collected.Here, we report on the diagnosis and treatment of these patients, analysing their symptoms, serology, imaging and pathology as well as their treatment and outcomes. [Results] The patients included 2 male and 2 female.The lesions were involved with the retroperitoneum and urinary system.Three patients had symptoms of lumbar pain.The imaging manifestations were complex, including retroperitoneal mass involving urinary system organs in 2 cases, tabdense shadow of the right kidney in 1 case, and simple cystic mass of kidney in 1 case.Serum IgG4 value was not detected before surgery.All patients underwent radical surgical treatment.Postoperative pathology showed fibrous tissue hyperplasia with a large number of plasma cells, lymphocytes, a few neutrophil infiltrates, and lymphoid follicles and obliterated vasculitis in some specimens.The number of IgG4⁺ plasma cells was more than 10 in all tissues under high power microscope.After surgery, 3 patients had symptoms improved, and serum IgG4 value was within the normal range; 1 patient (patem 3) had elevated IgG4 value during follow-up, received subsequent hormone therapy, and the serum IgG 4 level remained stable. [Conclusion] The symptoms of IgG4-related diseases involving the urinary system are non-specific, and the imaging findings are various, easily confused with other diseases.Early detection of serum IgG4 and biopsy pathology can help clinicians make correct diagnosis in the early stage.

Objective To compare the mid- and long-term clinical results of mitral valve plasty (MVP) and mitral valve replacement (MVR) in the treatment of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). Methods Patients with FMR who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from 2012 to 2021 were collected. The patients who underwent MVP were divided into a MVP group, and those who underwent MVR into a MVR group. The clinical data and mid-term follow-up efficacy of two groups were compared. Results Finally 236 patients were included. There were 100 patients in the MVP group, including 53 males and 47 females, with an average age of (61.80±8.03) years. There were 136 patients in the MVR group, including 72 males and 64 females, with an average age of (61.29±8.97) years. There was no statistical difference in baseline data between the two groups (P＞0.05). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the extracorporeal circulation time, aortic occlusion time, postoperative hospital and ICU stay, intraoperative blood loss, or hospitalization death (P＞0.05), but the time of mechanical ventilation in the MVP group was significantly shorter than that in the MVR group (P=0.022). The total follow-up rate was 100.0%, the longest follow-up was 10 years, and the average follow-up time was (3.60±2.55) years. There were statistical differences in the left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter and cardiac function between the two groups compared with those before surgery (P<0.05). The postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction in the MVP group was statistically higher than that before surgery (P=0.002), but there was no statistical difference in the MVR group before and after surgery (P=0.658). The left atrial diameter in the MVP group was reduced compared with the MVR group (P=0.026). The recurrence rate of mitral regurgitation in the MVP group was higher than that in the MVR group, and the difference was statistically significant (10.0% vs. 1.5%, P=0.003). There were 14 deaths in the MVP group and 19 in the MVR group. The cumulative survival rate (P=0.605) and cardiovascular events-free survival rate (P=0.875) were not statistically significant between the two groups by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Conclusion The safety, and mid- and long-term clinical efficacy of MVP in the treatment of FMR patients are better than MVR, and the left atrial and left ventricular diameters are statistically reduced, and cardiac function is statistically improved. However, the surgeon needs to be well aware of the indications for the MVP procedure to reduce the rate of mitral regurgitation recurrence.

Diabetic kidney disease （DKD）， one of the leading causes of end-stage renal disease， shows increasing prevalence and mortality， seriously affecting the physical and mental health of patients. As a crucial link in the occurrence and development of DKD， pyroptosis can lead to kidney cell injury and inflammation through the abnormal activation of reactive oxygen species （ROS）/thioredoxin-interacting protein （TXNIP）/NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）/NLRP3， nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）/NLRP3， and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）/NLRP3 signaling pathways， which accelerate the progression of DKD. In recent years， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has demonstrated definite efficacy in the treatment of DKD via multiple targets and pathways. Studies have shown that various TCM active components， including glycosides， flavonoids， polyphenols， terpenoids， and alkaloids， as well as TCM compound prescriptions for clearing heat and detoxifying， tonifying deficiency and consolidating root， and eliminating stasis and descending turbidity， can target relevant signaling pathways to inhibit pyroptosis and intervene in the development of DKD， providing new possibilities for precision treatment of DKD. This article systematically reviews the relevant pathways of pyroptosis and summarizes the research achievements and mechanisms of TCM active components and compound prescriptions in the treatment of DKD via pyroptosis in recent years. This review aims to provide new directions and ideas for the treatment and research of DKD with TCM and promote the modernization and development of TCM.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of Qishao Tongbi Capsule （芪芍通痹胶囊， QTC） in the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration （IDD）. MethodsSeventy-five rats were randomly divided into control group， model group， low-dose QTC group， high-dose QTC group， high-dose QTC +agonist group， with 15 rats in each group. Except for the control group， all other groups were subjected to a fibrous ring puncture to prepare an IDD model. After modeling， rats in low-dose QTC group and high-dose QTC group were given QTC at doses of 0.2 and 0.8 g/（kg·d） by gavage， respectively. Rats in high-dose QTC+ agonist group was given QTC at 0.8 g/（kg·d） and SKL2001 solution at 10 mg/（kg·d） by gavage. The control group and model group were given 10 ml/（kg·d） distilled water by gavage. All treatments were given once a day for 4 consecutive weeks. After treatment， X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） were used to detect IDD degree. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Safranin O-Fast Green staining were used to observe the morphological changes of the intervertebral disc tissue. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to examine the levels of proteoglycan， type Ⅱ collagen （COL Ⅱ）， and matrix metalloproteinase-3 （MMP-3） in the intervertebral disc tissue. Western blotting was used to detect the extracellular matrix （ECM）-related proteins （proteoglycan， COL Ⅱ， MMP-3， MMP-9， MMP-13）， aging-related proteins （P53， P21， P16）， apoptosis related proteins， including B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 2 （BCL-2）， BCL-2 related X protein （BAX）， Cleaved Caspase-3， and Wnt/β-catenin pathway related proteins such as Wnt3a， glycogen synthase kinase-3β （GSK-3β） and β-catenin in the intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus （NP） tissue. Reverse Transcription Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction （RT-qPCR） was used to assess the mRNA expression of Wnt3a， GSK-3β， and β-catenin in intervertebral disc tissue. ResultsCompared with the model group， rats in the low-dose QTC group and high-dose QTC group exhibited improved DHI， decreased Pfirmann grading， and alleviated IDD. The structural integrity of the NP and annulus fibrosus increased， and the number of the NP increased. The levels of proteoglycan， COL Ⅱ， BCL-2 and GSK-3β increased， while the levels of MMP-3， MMP-9， MMP-13， P53， P21， P16， BAX， Cleaved Caspase-3， Wnt3a and β-catenin protein decreased. The mRNA expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin mRNA decreased， while GSK-3β mRNA expression increased （P＜0.05）. Compared with the low-dose QTC group， the high-dose QTC group showed further improvements in DHI， decrease in Pfirrmann grading （P＜0.05）， and greater alleviation of IDD. The structural integrity of NP and annulus fibrosus was further enhanced， and the number of NP cells further increased. The levels of proteoglycan， COL Ⅱ， BCL-2 and GSK-3β were higher， while the levels of MMP-3， MMP-9， MMP-13， P53， P21， P16， BAX， Cleaved Caspase-3， Wnt3a and β-catenin were lower. The mRNA expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin decreased， while GSK-3β mRNA expression increased （P＜0.05）. Compared with the high-dose QTC group， the high-dose QTC +agonist group showed a decrease of DHI， an increase of Pfirmann grading （P＜0.05）， significant aggravation of IDD， reduction in structural integrity of the NP and annulus fibrosus， a decrease of NP cell count， lower levels of proteoglycan， COL Ⅱ， BCL-2 and GSK-3β， and higher levels of MMP-3， MMP-9， MMP-13， P53， P21， P16， BAX and Cleaved Caspase-3. Additionally， GSK-3β mRNA expression decreased （P＜0.05）. ConclusionQTC can inhibit NP cell aging， apoptosis， and ECM degradation in IDD rats， and its therapeutic effect may be mediated through the inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.