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.Correlation of childhood trauma and leisure activities with psychological distress among upper grade elemetary school students
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):70-74
Objective:
To understand the impact of childhood trauma on psychological distress among upper grade elemetary school students, and to explore the mediating role of leisure activities in the relationship, so as to provide a basis for developing mental health intervention strategies.
Methods:
From August to November 2024, a combination of convenience sampling and stratified cluster random sampling was employed to recruit 1 373 fourth to sixth grade students from four primary schools in Harbin. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire(CTQ), a self designed leisure activity scale (including active and passive leisure activities), and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) were used to assess childhood trauma experiences, leisure activities, and levels of psychological distress. Spearman correlation analysis and linear regression analysis were conducted to explore the relationships among childhood trauma, leisure types, leisure time, and psychological distress. Based on the mediation analysis framework proposed by Hayes (Model 4), the mediating role of leisure types in the relationship between childhood trauma and psychological distress was examined.
Results:
Totally 19.1% of the upper elemetary school students exhibited psychological distress, while 30.2% had experienced childhood trauma. During school days, 64.6% of the students were reported of having leisure time concentrated between 1 and 5 hours per day, whereas 67.4% reported leisure time exceeding 5 hours per day on weekends. After controlling for potential demographic confounders such as gender, grade, ethnicity, household registration, being an only child, parents educational level, co residence, and whether parents are first time married,linear regression analysis showed that childhood trauma experience had positive predictive effect on psychological distress in upper primary school students( β =0.20, P <0.01). Leisure time showed no statistically significant association with psychological distress, both on school days ( β =-0.58 to -0.56) and weekends ( β =0.26- 0.98 )(all P >0.05). Active leisure activities were negatively associated with psychological distress ( β =-0.20), while passive leisure activities were positively associated with psychological distress ( β =0.29)(both P <0.01). Leisure type partially mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and psychological distress, accounting for 11.7% of the indirect effect.
Conclusion
Childhood trauma experiences positively predict psychological distress in upper elementary school students, and affect psychological distress through active leisure and passive leisure.
3.Inhibition of Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition Mechanism in Chronic Atrophic Gastritis Rats by Banxia Xiexintang via Regulating IL-17/ERK/C/EBPβ Signaling Pathway
Wenyu WU ; Xinyu ZENG ; Hao LI ; Weiqi SUN ; Jiahui REN ; Yang YU ; Tingting ZHOU ; Aili XU ; Wei WEI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):1-10
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the action mechanism by which Banxia Xiexintang (BXT) inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) rats by regulating the interleukin-17(IL-17)/extracellular regulated protein kinases(ERK)/CCAAT enhancer binding protein β(C/EBPβ)signaling pathway, thereby providing new theoretical evidence for the treatment of CAG with classic traditional Chinese medicine formulas. MethodsA CAG rat model was established by using the combined factor method. After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into the model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (0.549, 1.098, 2.196 g·kg-1, respectively) of BXT, and the positive drug group (vitacoenzyme, 0.3 g·kg-1). A normal control group was also set up. After 8 weeks of intervention, the pathological changes of gastric tissue were evaluated. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the contents of IL-17, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and C/EBPβ in serum, as well as the contents of EMT markers in gastric mucosal tissue including E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin. The immunohistochemistry method was employed to determine the localization and protein expression levels of IL-17, p-ERK, and C/EBPβ in gastric mucosal tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of C/EBPβ, ERK, and its phosphorylated form (p)-ERK in gastric mucosa. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was applied to measure the mRNA expression levels of ERK, COX-2, and C/EBPβ in gastric mucosa. ResultsCompared with those in the normal control group, the rats in the model group showed gastric mucosal glandular atrophy and inflammatory cell infiltration. The protein and their related mRNA expressions of C/EBPβ, ERK, and p-ERK in gastric mucosa were significantly increased (P<0.05,P<0.01). The levels of IL-17, TNF-α, COX-2, and C/EBPβ in serum were significantly increased (P<0.01). The contents of N-cadherin and vimentin in gastric mucosal tissue were significantly increased, while the content of E-cadherin was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, after intervention with different doses of BXT, the pathological damage of the gastric mucosa was improved to varying degrees. The protein and mRNA expressions of C/EBPβ, ERK, and p-ERK in gastric mucosa were significantly reduced (P<0.05,P<0.01). The levels of IL-17, TNF-α, COX-2, and C/EBP β in serum were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The contents of N-cadherin and vimentin in gastric mucosa tissue were decreased, while the content of E-cadherin was increased (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionBXT can effectively improve the pathological damage of gastric mucosal tissue in CAG rats. Its action mechanism may be related to reducing the levels of IL-17 and TNF-α in serum, regulating the IL-17/ERK/C/EBPβ signaling pathway and inhibiting the EMT process.
4.Premature Aging Prevention and Treatment Guided by Essence-Qi-Spirit Theory of Qiluo Doctrine: A Review
Chuanyuan JI ; Hongrong LI ; Jiameng HAO ; Dandong WANG ; Yucong MA ; Kun MA ; Cong WEI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(2):279-285
The theoretical basis of premature aging originates from The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic. The etiology of premature aging is complex, and the disease mechanism is based on deficiency. The treatment for premature aging is based on tonicity. The essence-Qi-spirit theory of Qiluo doctrine summarizes that "essence is the origin of life, Qi is the driving force of life, and spirit is the embodiment of life", which is the law of life. The theory puts forward the core disease mechanism of aging, which states that "deficiency of kidney essence is the root of aging, deficiency of primordial Qi is the key to aging, impairment of soma and spirit is the manifestation of aging". The theory also proposes the treatment of "tonifying kidney and supplementing essence, harmonizing Yin and Yang, warming and supporting primordial Qi, and nourishing soma and spirit" and the representative anti-aging drugs. The article unfolds from the perspective of the concepts of natural life span, premature senility before fifty, decline, and aging and also explains the origins and connotations of premature aging. The article explains the disease mechanism of premature aging under the guidance of the essence-Qi-spirit theory of Qiluo doctrine, which is "early deprivation of kidney essence, deficiency of primordial Qi, accumulation of deficiencies into impairment, and decline and impairment of soma and spirit", summarizes the progress of modern medical research on the treatment of premature aging and representative drugs, and finds that Bazi Bushen capsules have a precise therapeutic effect on the overall premature aging, systematic functional decline, and related diseases. The study provides theoretical basis and new ideas to solve the problems of premature aging and geriatric diseases.
5.Effect and mechanism of Prunus mume against hepatic fibrosis
Feng HAO ; Ji LI ; Jing DU ; Yuchen OUYANG ; Yichun CUI ; Shuang WEI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(2):172-178
OBJECTIVE To explore the effect and mechanism of Prunus mume against hepatic fibrosis (HF). METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=10) and modeling group (n=50). The modeling group established HF model using carbon tetrachloride. The modeled rats were randomly divided into model group (normal saline), positive control group [colchicine, 0.09 mg/(kg·d)], and P. mume low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups [1.35, 2.70, 5.40 g/(kg·d)], with 9 rats in each group. They were given the corresponding drug/normal saline intragastrically, once a day, for 8 consecutive weeks. After the last medication, the liver index was calculated, while liver function indexes, liver fiber indexes, oxidative stress indicators and inflammatory factors of rats were measured. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes in liver tissue of rats; Masson staining was used to observe the degree of HF in liver tissue of rats; transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of liver tissue in rats; TUNEL staining was used to detect liver cell apoptosis in each group of rats. Western blot method was used to detect the protein expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in liver tissue of rats. RESULTS Compared with normal control group, the levels of alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase, total bilirubin, malondialdehyde, procollagen type Ⅲ protein, Ⅳ-type pre collagenase, laminin, hyaluronic acid, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, as well as the protein expressions of TGF-β1 and PDGF in model group were increased significantly, while the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly reduced (P<0.01); the HE, Masson staining and transmission electron microscopy observation results showed obvious HF characteristics in rats of model group. Compared with model group, varying degrees of improvement in above indexes were observed in P. mume groups, and the above 2021BSZR011) indicators of rats in P. mume medium-dose and high-dose groups were reversed significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS P. mume has an anti-HF effect, which may be achieved through mechanisms such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation, reduction of collagen production, inhibition of PDGF protein expression, and regulation of TGF- β1 signaling pathway.
6.Effect and mechanism of Prunus mume against hepatic fibrosis
Feng HAO ; Ji LI ; Jing DU ; Yuchen OUYANG ; Yichun CUI ; Shuang WEI
China Pharmacy 2025;36(2):172-178
OBJECTIVE To explore the effect and mechanism of Prunus mume against hepatic fibrosis (HF). METHODS Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=10) and modeling group (n=50). The modeling group established HF model using carbon tetrachloride. The modeled rats were randomly divided into model group (normal saline), positive control group [colchicine, 0.09 mg/(kg·d)], and P. mume low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups [1.35, 2.70, 5.40 g/(kg·d)], with 9 rats in each group. They were given the corresponding drug/normal saline intragastrically, once a day, for 8 consecutive weeks. After the last medication, the liver index was calculated, while liver function indexes, liver fiber indexes, oxidative stress indicators and inflammatory factors of rats were measured. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes in liver tissue of rats; Masson staining was used to observe the degree of HF in liver tissue of rats; transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of liver tissue in rats; TUNEL staining was used to detect liver cell apoptosis in each group of rats. Western blot method was used to detect the protein expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in liver tissue of rats. RESULTS Compared with normal control group, the levels of alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase, total bilirubin, malondialdehyde, procollagen type Ⅲ protein, Ⅳ-type pre collagenase, laminin, hyaluronic acid, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, as well as the protein expressions of TGF-β1 and PDGF in model group were increased significantly, while the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly reduced (P<0.01); the HE, Masson staining and transmission electron microscopy observation results showed obvious HF characteristics in rats of model group. Compared with model group, varying degrees of improvement in above indexes were observed in P. mume groups, and the above 2021BSZR011) indicators of rats in P. mume medium-dose and high-dose groups were reversed significantly (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS P. mume has an anti-HF effect, which may be achieved through mechanisms such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation, reduction of collagen production, inhibition of PDGF protein expression, and regulation of TGF- β1 signaling pathway.
7.Mechanism of imperatorin in ameliorating doxorubicin resistance of breast cancer based on transcriptomics
Yiting LI ; Wei DONG ; Xinli LIANG ; Hu WANG ; Yumei QIU ; Xiaoyun DING ; Hao ZHANG ; Huiyun BAO ; Xianxi LI ; Xilan TANG
China Pharmacy 2025;36(5):529-534
OBJECTIVE To investigate the ameliorative effect and potential mechanism of imperatorin (IMP) on doxorubicin (DOX) resistance in breast cancer. METHODS The effects of maximum non-toxic concentration (100 μg/mL) of IMP combined with different concentrations of DOX (12.5, 25, 50, 75, 100 μg/mL) on the proliferation of MCF-7/DOX cells were determined by MTT method. MCF-7/DOX cells were divided into blank control group (1‰ dimethyl sulfoxide), DOX group (50 μg/mL), IMP+DOX group (100 μg/mL IMP+50 μg/mL DOX) and IMP group (100 μg/mL). mRNA and protein expressions of multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 in each group were measured. The relevant pathways and targets involved in the improvement of DOX resistance in breast cancer cells by IMP were screened and validated by using transcriptome sequencing technology, along with gene ontology (GO) enrichment analyses and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. RESULTS Compared with DOX alone, the combination of IMP and DOX reduced the half inhibitory concentration of DOX on MCF-7/DOX cells from 81.965 μg/mL to 43.170 μg/mL, the reverse fold was 1.90, and the mRNA expression of MDR1 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05). The results of GO enrichment analyses and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses indicated that the reversal of DOX resistance in breast cancer by IMP was mainly associated with the regulation of biological processes such as detoxification, multiple biological processes, and cell killing. The main pathway involved was the p53 signaling pathway, and the key targets mainly included constitutively photomorphogenic protein 1 (COP1), cyclin E1 (CCNE1), growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible protein 45A E-mail:tangxilan1983@163.com (GADD45A) and GADD45B. The results of the verification experiments showed that compared with DOX group, there was a trend of up-regulation of COP1 mRNA, and significant down- regulation of CCNE1, GADD45A, and GADD45B mRNA expression in IMP+DOX group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The effect of IMP in ameliorating DOX resistance in breast cancer is related to its regulation of COP1, CCNE1, GADD45A and GADD45B targets in the p53 signaling pathway.
8.Analysis of prognostic risk factors for chronic active antibody-mediated rejection after kidney transplantation
Yu HUI ; Hao JIANG ; Zheng ZHOU ; Linkun HU ; Liangliang WANG ; Hao PAN ; Xuedong WEI ; Yuhua HUANG ; Jianquan HOU
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(4):565-573
Objective To investigate the independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of chronic active antibody-mediated rejection (caAMR) after kidney transplantation. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 61 patients who underwent renal biopsy and were diagnosed with caAMR. The patients were divided into caAMR group (n=41) and caAMR+TCMR group (n=20) based on the presence or absence of concurrent acute T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR). The patients were followed up for 3 years. The value of 24-hour urinary protein and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at the time of biopsy in predicting graft loss was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The independent risk factors affecting caAMR prognosis were analyzed using the LASSO-Cox regression model. The correlation between grouping, outcomes, and Banff scores was compared using Spearman rank correlation matrix analysis. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate the renal allograft survival rates of each subgroup. Results The 3-year renal allograft survival rates for the caAMR group and the caAMR+TCMR group were 83% and 79%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for predicting 3-year renal allograft loss was 0.83 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70-0.97] for eGFR and 0.78 (95% CI 0.61-0.96) for 24-hour urinary protein at the time of biopsy. LASSO-Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that eGFR≤25.23 mL/(min·1.73 m²) and the presence of donor-specific antibody (DSA) against human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I might be independent risk factors affecting renal allograft prognosis, with hazard ratios of 7.67 (95% CI 2.18-27.02) and 5.13 (95% CI 1.33-19.80), respectively. A strong correlation was found between the Banff chronic lesion indicators of renal interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (P<0.05). Conclusions The presence of HLA class I DSA and eGFR≤25.23 mL/(min·1.73 m²) at the time of biopsy may be independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of caAMR.
9.Application of emerging technologies and theories in the prevention,diagnosis,and treatment of urinary system tumors:a summary of clinical experience in West China Hospital
Bin ZENG ; Shi QIU ; Xianghong ZHOU ; Hao ZENG ; Lu YANG ; Qiang WEI
Journal of Modern Urology 2025;30(5):448-453
Urinary system tumors are very common nowadays,including prostate cancer,renal cancer,bladder cancer,and urothelial carcinoma.In recent years,the incidence of these tumors has been on the rise.This paper briefly summarizes the emerging technologies explored by West China Hospital in recent years for urinary system tumors,such as gene sequencing analysis,radiomics and big data,liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry,multi-modal intelligent fusion diagnostic technology,surgical decision-making tools built with artificial intelligence and big data,mRNA vaccines,combination of targeted and immune therapies,and irreversible electroporation technology.These technologies provide strong support and point out the ways for the prevention,early diagnosis,and individualized treatment of urinary system tumors.
10.Fast Object Perception in The Subcortical Pathway: a Commentary on Wang et al.’s Paper in Human Brain Mapping (2023)
Hao-Yun MA ; Yu-Yin WEI ; Li-Ping HU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(7):1904-1908
The subcortical visual pathway is generally thought to be involved in dangerous information processing, such as fear processing and defensive behavior. A recent study, published in Human Brain Mapping, shows a new function of the subcortical pathway involved in the fast processing of non-emotional object perception. Rapid object processing is a critical function of visual system. Topological perception theory proposes that the initial perception of objects begins with the extraction of topological property (TP). However, the mechanism of rapid TP processing remains unclear. The researchers investigated the subcortical mechanism of TP processing with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). They find that a subcortical magnocellular pathway is responsible for the early processing of TP, and this subcortical processing of TP accelerates object recognition. Based on their findings, we propose a novel training approach called subcortical magnocellular pathway training (SMPT), aimed at improving the efficiency of the subcortical M pathway to restore visual and attentional functions in disorders associated with subcortical pathway dysfunction.


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