ObjectiveTo determine the optimal bedding depth of wood shavings and cage-changing interval for post-weaning (21-day-old) SPF C57BL/6J mice housed in open cages within a barrier environment. MethodsThree bedding groups with average depths of 3 cm, 4 cm, and 5 cm were established, forming six experimental groups (three groups each for female and male mice, with 60 mice per group and 20 mice per cage, totaling 18 cages). The mice were housed in accordance with the maximum housing density requirements specified in GB 14925—2023 Laboratory Animal—Environment and Housing Facilities. Indicators, including body weight, food intake, waste load, and bedding cleanliness, were continuously monitored in mice aged 21-54 days. ResultsAt the age of 21-54 days, the body weight of male mice in the 4 cm bedding group at 42 days was significantly higher than that in the 3 cm and 5 cm groups (P<0.01); at the age of 45-54 days, the waste load of male mice in the 4 cm group was significantly higher than that in the 3 cm group (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in body weight, feed intake and waste load of female mice among each bedding height group (P>0.05). Gender comparison showed that the body weight, feed intake and waste load of male mice were significantly higher than those of female mice at multiple age groups (P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference in cleanliness scores between female and male mice (P>0.05). The scores of mice in the 3 cm and 4 cm groups were close to 3 points from day 6 to day 12, and the scores of mice in the 5 cm group were close to 3 points on day 12. After 42 days of age, the cleanliness scores of each group increased rapidly, and the cage change cycle needed to be shortened to 4 days. Comprehensive recommendation: the cage change cycle for 3 cm and 4 cm bedding heights is 6 days, and it can be extended to 12 days at a height of 5 cm bedding, and shortened to 4 days after 42 days of age. ConclusionUnder the open-cage housing mode, a bedding depth of 4 cm combined with a 6-day cage-changing interval during the growth phase can maintain cage cleanliness through bedding adsorption while optimizing the use of bedding resources. This protocol successfully balances animal welfare assurance with facility operational efficiency and is suitable for the large-scale management of C57BL/6J mice and inbred strains with similar genetic backgrounds.

ObjectiveTo obtain the epidemiological characteristics of re-positive cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Pudong New Area from March to July 2022, including clinical manifestations, duration of a negative nucleic acid conversion after tested for re-positive, and length of time from the discharge of the initial infection to the most recent re-positivity, so as to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of COVID-19. MethodsA questionnaire survey was conducted among the re-positive cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 after discharged from hospital/quarantine facility in Pudong New Area, and descriptive epidemiological methods were used for characteristics analysis. ResultsA total of 2 422 re-positive cases met the inclusive and exclusive criteria, with males accounting for 61.02%. The age distribution mainly fell between 18 and <60 years old, accounting for 62.39%. Clinical manifestations were predominantly asymptomatic (72.15%), followed by cough (12.03%) and sore throat (6.58%). Among the stratified randomized sample of 416 individuals, there were statistically significant differences in symptoms (χ²=262.667, P<0.001), clinical typing (χ²=12.996, P=0.001), and duration of a negative nucleic acid conversion (χ²=142.578, P<0.001) between the initial positive and re-positive instances. Besides, statistically significant differences in symptoms (χ²=13.696, P=0.016) and self-perception of the severity of re-infection (χ²=7.923, P=0.048) between the initial and re-positive cases were observed by different genders. ConclusionAmong re-positive cases, males experienced milder symptoms compared to females, and the self-perception of symptoms during re-positivity is milder than that in the initial positive infection. The length of time for negative nucleic acid conversion during the initial positive period is shorter than that during the re-positive period.

Cells and exosomes derived from them are extensively used as biological carrier systems. Cells demonstrate superior targeting specificity and prolonged circulation facilitated by their rich array of surface proteins, while exosomes, due to their small size, cross barriers and penetrate tumors efficiently. However, challenges remain, cells' large size restricts tissue penetration, and exosomes have limited targeting accuracy and short circulation times. To address these challenges, we developed a novel concept termed exosomal spheres. This approach involved incorporating platelet-derived exosomes shielded with phosphatidylserine (PS) and linked via pH-sensitive bonds for drug delivery applications. The study demonstrated that, compared with exosomes, the exosomal spheres improved blood circulation through the upregulation of CD47 expression and shielding of phosphatidylserine, thereby minimizing immune clearance. Moreover, the increased expression of P-selectin promoted adhesion to circulating tumor cells, thereby enhancing targeting efficiency. Upon reaching the tumor site, the hydrazone bonds of exosome spheres were protonated in the acidic tumor microenvironment, leading to disintegration into uniform-sized exosomes capable of deeper tumor penetration compared to platelets. These findings suggested that exosome spheres addressed the challenges and offered significant potential for efficient and precise drug delivery.

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 develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based automatic scoring model for magnetic resonance imaging-detected extramural vascular invasion (AI-mrEMVI) and evaluate its performance and prognostic value in patients with rectal cancer.Methods:In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, a total of 2 501 rectal cancer patients from seven centers between November 2012 and December 2020 were included and divided into completely independent training ( n=1 830) and validation ( n=671) cohorts. A nnUNet-based AI-mrEMVI scoring model was constructed. Manual mrEMVI scores assigned by two radiologists served as the reference standard for accessing the accuracy of the AI-mrEMVI scoring. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression were used to evaluate the prognostic stratification ability of the AI-mrEMVI scores. The concordance index (C-index) was calculated to evaluate prognostic performance. Results:In the validation cohort, the manual mrEMVI scores were 0-2 in 425 patients (63.3%), 3 in 89 (13.4%), and 4 in 157 (23.4%). The AI-mrEMVI model identified 0-2 in 375 patients (55.9%), 3 in 95 (14.2%), and 4 in 201 (30.0%), with an overall accuracy of 81.1% (544/671, 95% CI 77.9%-84.0%). The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates for patients with AI-mrEMVI scores of 0-2, 3, and 4 were 85.2%, 70.0%, and 58.2%, respectively, and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 87.2%, 81.6%, and 62.6%, respectively (DFS: χ2=48.74, P<0.001; OS: χ2=30.04, P<0.001). Multivariable Cox regression showed that for DFS, AI-mrEMVI scores of 3 and 4 were associated with hazard ratios ( HR) of 1.75 (95% CI 1.11-2.77, P=0.016) and 2.65 (95% CI 1.86-3.78, P<0.001), respectively. For OS, an AI-mrEMVI score of 4 was associated with an HR of 2.56 (95% CI 1.62-4.03, P<0.001). The C-index values of the AI-mrEMVI scoring model for predicting DFS and OS were 0.647 (95% CI 0.608-0.686) and 0.650 (95% CI 0.598-0.702), respectively. Conclusion:The proposed AI-mrEMVI automatic scoring model demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy and performed favorably in predicting DFS and OS prognostic risk in patients with rectal cancer.

Objective To explore the effect of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C)on the diameters of retinal arteries and veins in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 102 patients with T2DM who treated in Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University from January to September 2024 were selected and divided into Group A(LDL-C＜2.6mmol/L,35 cases),Group B(2.6mmol/L≤LDL-C＜3.4mmol/L,33 cases)and Group C(LDL-C≥3.4mmol/L,34 cases)according to the LDL-C level.The clinical data and color fundus photos of the patients were collected.The superior temporal retinal arteriolar equivalent(RAE)and superior temporal retinal venular equivalent(RVE)in the left eye of patients were measured,and the ratio of arteriovenous diameters(AVR)was calculated.The correlation between LDL-C levels and retinal vascular diameters was analyzed.Results There were statistically significant differences in levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides,as well as the proportions of patients with coronary heart disease and diabetic retinopathy(DR)among the three groups(P＜0.05).With the progression of DR,the level of LDL-C gradually increases(P＜0.05).There were statistically significant differences in RAE and AVR among patients with different DR stages(P＜0.05).There were statistically significant differences in RAE and AVR among three groups of patients(P＜0.05).Correlation analysis showed that RAE and AVR were negatively correlated with LDL-C(P＜0.05).Conclusion With the increase of LDL-C level,the degree of DR aggravates,and RAE and AVR decrease accordingly.However,there is no significant correlation between LDL-C and RVE.

Objective To explore the relationship between the triglyceride glucose(TyG)index and 2-year cognitive function changes.Methods A total of 101 elderly patients who were hospitalized at Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University from September to December 2022 were selected.The cognitive function was evaluated using Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA)scale.According to the baseline TyG index,the subjects were divided into high TyG index group(TyG index≥ 8.79,51 cases)and low TyG index group(TyG index＜8.79,50 cases).Using a binary Logistic regression model to adjust for confounding factors,the association between TyG index and cognitive decline was analyzed.Results The Spearman correlation analysis results showed that TyG index was negatively correlated with the change value of cognitive function(r=-0.243,P＜0.05).The incidence of cognitive function decline in high TyG index group was significantly higher than that in low TyG index group(43.1％vs.24.0％,P=0.042).After adjusting for confounding factors,the risk of cognitive function decline in high TyG index group was 2.971 times that of low TyG index group(P＜0.05).Conclusion The TyG index of elderly hospitalized patients is correlated with 2-year cognitive function changes.The TyG index may serve as a potential biomarker for early detection of cognitive function decline.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of two types of micro-focused ultrasound devices combined with botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injection for facial rejuvenation.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted, including 60 female patients aged 28-70 (41.3±7.9) years, who received facial rejuvenation treatment at the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, from April 2023 to April 2024. Patients were divided into two groups based on the treatment method: the control group (received only micro-focused ultrasound treatment, n=30) and the combined group (received both micro-focused ultrasound and BoNT-A injection, n=30). Additionally, patients were further categorized into four subgroups based on the type of micro-focused ultrasound device used: Peninsula Microultra? (PM) device group ( n=15), Intelligent Ultrasound? (IU) device group ( n=15), PM device + BoNT-A injection group ( n=15), and IU device + BoNT-A injection group ( n=15). The severity of facial wrinkles was assessed using the wrinkle severity rating scale (WSRS), the Merz aesthetic scale (MAS), and the global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) at baseline and 6 months post-treatment. Adverse event rates were also recorded. Results:At 6 months post-treatment, the combined group showed significantly lower WSRS and MAS scores than the control group (both P<0.001). No significant differences were found between the PM and IU device groups, or between the PM + BoNT-A and IU + BoNT-A groups regarding WSRS and MAS scores (all P>0.05). Self-reported GAIS improvement was 56.7% (17/30) for the control group and 80.0% (24/30) for the combined group, with the combined group showing superior results ( P=0.015). The physician-assessed GAIS improvement was 70.0% (21/30) for the control group and 96.7% (29/30) for the combined group, again with the combined group showing superior results ( P=0.007). No significant differences were found in self-reported or physician-assessed GAIS improvement between the PM and IU device groups, or between the PM + BoNT-A and IU + BoNT-A groups (all P>0.05). No severe adverse reactions, such as blisters, scabbing, purpura, bruising, scarring, peripheral facial paralysis, allergies, muscle weakness, dysphagia, or dysphonia, were observed in any patient. Conclusion:The combination of micro-focused ultrasound and BoNT-A injection for facial rejuvenation is more effective than micro-focused ultrasound alone, while there are no significant differences in efficacy between the two micro-focused ultrasound devices.