Diabetic nephropathy （DKD）， as a common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus （DM）， is a major cause of end-stage renal disease （ESRD）. Its clinical manifestations include increased urinary protein excretion， thickening of the glomerular basement membrane， and renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The pathogenesis of DKD is complex and involves multiple factors， including disordered glucose metabolism， hemodynamic alterations， and oxidative stress. Although modern medical approaches can alleviate certain symptoms， they still have limitations such as insufficient therapeutic targeting and prominent adverse effects. The transforming growth factor-β/Smad （TGF-β/Smad） signaling pathway is not only a tissue fibrosis pathway that has attracted considerable attention in recent years， but also regulates multiple protein molecules， including the glomerular podocyte slit diaphragm protein Podocin， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD）， thereby participating in various pathological processes and ultimately mediating renal injury. Flavonoid compounds， owing to their sustained pharmacological effects， broad spectrum of action， and high safety profile， have become ideal candidates for targeted therapy research in DKD. Existing studies have shown that these compounds can exert inhibitory effects on renal fibrosis， alleviate inflammatory responses， protect podocytes， and reduce oxidative stress by regulating the interactions between the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and the aforementioned protein molecules， thereby maintaining renal structure and function， reducing proteinuria， and significantly improving DKD lesions. This review briefly outlines the composition and functions of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway， elucidates the mechanisms by which this pathway regulates DKD， and focuses on summarizing major studies from the past decade on flavonoid-based interventions in DKD through targeted inhibition of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. Furthermore， it discusses the considerable therapeutic potential of flavonoids in the treatment of this disease， aiming to provide a scientific basis for future clinical prevention and treatment of DKD and to promote the development of targeted drugs.

Although a single nucleotide polymorphism for N-acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) has been identified in patients with early-onset stroke, the role of NAT10 in ischemic injury and the related underlying mechanisms remains elusive. Here, we provide evidence that NAT10, the only known RNA N4-acetylcytidine (ac4C) modification "writer", is increased in the damaged cortex of patients with acute ischemic stroke and the peri-infarct cortex of mice subjected to photothrombotic (PT) stroke. Pharmacological inhibition of NAT10 with remodelin on Days 3-7 post-stroke or astrocytic depletion of NAT10 via targeted virus attenuates ischemia-induced infarction and improves functional recovery in PT mice. Mechanistically, NAT10 enhances ac4C acetylation of the inflammatory cytokine tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (Timp1) mRNA transcript, which increases TIMP1 expression and results in the accumulation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) and progression of astrocyte autophagy. These findings demonstrate that NAT10 regulates astrocyte autophagy by targeting Timp1 ac4C after stroke. This study highlights the critical role of ac4C in the regulation of astrocyte autophagy and proposes a promising strategy to improve post-stroke outcomes via NAT10 inhibition.

Objective To explore the association between the growth condition of mandibular third molars(M3)and the parameters of mandibular dental arch through a retrospective cross-sectional study on M3 in adults,and to provide a basis for the selection of clini-cal treatment of M3.Methods A total of 221 adult patients were randomly selected for our study.Dolphin software was used to analyze the CBCT of all the patients.Parameters of the mandibular dentition including the entire dental crowding(EDC)were recorded.Then the association between M3 growth condition and these parameters was analyzed.Results The mesio-impacted angle of M3 was posi-tively correlated with EDC(P＜0.05),and negatively correlated with the retromolar space(RMS,P＜0.0 1).It was worth noting that me-dian mesio-impacted M3 significantly increased EDC(P＜0.01),and the erupting M3 in the vertical orthotopic position significantly in-creased RMS(P＜0.01).Conclusion For patients with median mesio-impacted M3 or insufficient RMS,preventive removal of M3 may be considered clinically,which may help to reduce crowding and prevent relapse after orthodontic treatment.

AIM:To investigate the effect of intrinsic specific transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)signaling on regeneration and repair of myofibers in acute skeletal myositismice model induced by cardiotoxin(CTX).METHODS:One hundred and eighty-six wild C57BL/6 mice and one hundred and thirty-eight mice with conditional knockout of TGF-β receptor 2(TGF-βr2)in myofibers(SM TGF-βr2-/-mice)were selected.CTX injection to anterior tibial muscle(TA)in-duced acute myoinjury in mice.Some SM TGF-βr2-/-mice were given Smad signaling agonist SRI-011381(SRI)intramus-cular injection.All mice were mainly divided into the following groups:control group,SM TGF-βr2-/-group and SM TGF-βr2-/-+SRI group.Twenty-four mice were selected in each group.RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the relative mRNA level,protein expression of inflammatory cytokines and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1(LRP1),respectively,while the relative protein expression of myosin heavy chain 3(MHY3)and embryonic myosine heavy chain(eMHC)in damaged muscle was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining.In vi-tro,after being extracted from neonatal mice,myogenic precursor cells(MPCs)were cultured in an pro-inflammatory mi-lieu and treated with SRI,recombinant mouse extracellular matrix protein 1(rmECM1)alone or in combination.Hereby,they were divided into the following seven groups:control-MPCs group,control-MPCs+LPS group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS+SRI group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS+rmECM1 group,and TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS+SRI+rmECM1 group.Six mice were selected in each group.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the relative mRNA level,protein expression of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules(MHC-I/H-2Kb),major histocompatibility complex class II molecules(MHC-II/H2-Eα),Toll-like receptor 3(TLR3),and LRP1.And the relative protein expression of MoyD and myogenin in myotubes was detected by immunofluorescence staining.RE-SULTS:In vivo,compared with control group,SM TGF-βr2-/-group showed the significant upregulation of pro-inflamma-tory cytokines(P<0.05),and the opposite trend of anti-inflammatory cytokines,LRP1,MHY3,eMHC in the injured muscle(P<0.05),with delayed regeneration and repair of myofibers.In vitro,compared with control-MPCs+LPS group,LRP1,MoyD and myogenin significantly downregulated in TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS group,but the downregulation trend was corrected after giving SRI treatment(P<0.05).In addition,compared with the TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS group,the combi-nation of rmECM1 and SRI significantly upregulated the protein expression of MyoD and myogenin(P<0.05).CONCLU-SION:In a mouse model of acute skeletal myositis,intrinsic TGF-β signaling specifically in myofibers regulates local im-mune behavior.It promotes the expression of LRP1 in damaged muscle via Smad2/3 signaling,and LRP1 can then fully bind to ECM1,thereby facilitating muscle regeneration and repair,and improving the prognosis of acute skeletal myositis.

This paper introduces chief physician of traditional Chinese medicine WANG Yigang's clinical experience in treating peripheral facial palsy in the acute stage with acupuncture-medication-combined therapy.Professor WANG believes that the pathogenesis of facial paralysis in the early stage is mostly the external invasion of wind and pathogenic toxins and the internal disturbance of dampness and toxins,resulting in the obstruction of collaterals and muscle regions of meridians.The treatment should be guided by the"unity of form(body)and spirit(Shen)",paying attention to the movement of the spirit,dispelling evils,and regulating the spirit.Professor WANG believes that when the spirit initiates,the healthy Qi is strong,and the pathogen subsides.In the treatment,he is good at combining acupuncture and medication for a synergistic effect,stresses the use of scalp points,and coins the empirical point Miandong(Extra).At the same time,he does not restrict himself to the traditional needling method and treats facial paralysis with"dynamic retention acupuncture".

Objective To explore the association between the growth condition of mandibular third molars(M3)and the parameters of mandibular dental arch through a retrospective cross-sectional study on M3 in adults,and to provide a basis for the selection of clini-cal treatment of M3.Methods A total of 221 adult patients were randomly selected for our study.Dolphin software was used to analyze the CBCT of all the patients.Parameters of the mandibular dentition including the entire dental crowding(EDC)were recorded.Then the association between M3 growth condition and these parameters was analyzed.Results The mesio-impacted angle of M3 was posi-tively correlated with EDC(P＜0.05),and negatively correlated with the retromolar space(RMS,P＜0.0 1).It was worth noting that me-dian mesio-impacted M3 significantly increased EDC(P＜0.01),and the erupting M3 in the vertical orthotopic position significantly in-creased RMS(P＜0.01).Conclusion For patients with median mesio-impacted M3 or insufficient RMS,preventive removal of M3 may be considered clinically,which may help to reduce crowding and prevent relapse after orthodontic treatment.

AIM:To investigate the effect of intrinsic specific transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)signaling on regeneration and repair of myofibers in acute skeletal myositismice model induced by cardiotoxin(CTX).METHODS:One hundred and eighty-six wild C57BL/6 mice and one hundred and thirty-eight mice with conditional knockout of TGF-β receptor 2(TGF-βr2)in myofibers(SM TGF-βr2-/-mice)were selected.CTX injection to anterior tibial muscle(TA)in-duced acute myoinjury in mice.Some SM TGF-βr2-/-mice were given Smad signaling agonist SRI-011381(SRI)intramus-cular injection.All mice were mainly divided into the following groups:control group,SM TGF-βr2-/-group and SM TGF-βr2-/-+SRI group.Twenty-four mice were selected in each group.RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect the relative mRNA level,protein expression of inflammatory cytokines and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1(LRP1),respectively,while the relative protein expression of myosin heavy chain 3(MHY3)and embryonic myosine heavy chain(eMHC)in damaged muscle was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining.In vi-tro,after being extracted from neonatal mice,myogenic precursor cells(MPCs)were cultured in an pro-inflammatory mi-lieu and treated with SRI,recombinant mouse extracellular matrix protein 1(rmECM1)alone or in combination.Hereby,they were divided into the following seven groups:control-MPCs group,control-MPCs+LPS group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS+SRI group,TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS+rmECM1 group,and TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS+SRI+rmECM1 group.Six mice were selected in each group.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the relative mRNA level,protein expression of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules(MHC-I/H-2Kb),major histocompatibility complex class II molecules(MHC-II/H2-Eα),Toll-like receptor 3(TLR3),and LRP1.And the relative protein expression of MoyD and myogenin in myotubes was detected by immunofluorescence staining.RE-SULTS:In vivo,compared with control group,SM TGF-βr2-/-group showed the significant upregulation of pro-inflamma-tory cytokines(P<0.05),and the opposite trend of anti-inflammatory cytokines,LRP1,MHY3,eMHC in the injured muscle(P<0.05),with delayed regeneration and repair of myofibers.In vitro,compared with control-MPCs+LPS group,LRP1,MoyD and myogenin significantly downregulated in TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS group,but the downregulation trend was corrected after giving SRI treatment(P<0.05).In addition,compared with the TGF-βr2-/--MPCs+LPS group,the combi-nation of rmECM1 and SRI significantly upregulated the protein expression of MyoD and myogenin(P<0.05).CONCLU-SION:In a mouse model of acute skeletal myositis,intrinsic TGF-β signaling specifically in myofibers regulates local im-mune behavior.It promotes the expression of LRP1 in damaged muscle via Smad2/3 signaling,and LRP1 can then fully bind to ECM1,thereby facilitating muscle regeneration and repair,and improving the prognosis of acute skeletal myositis.

This paper introduces chief physician of traditional Chinese medicine WANG Yigang's clinical experience in treating peripheral facial palsy in the acute stage with acupuncture-medication-combined therapy.Professor WANG believes that the pathogenesis of facial paralysis in the early stage is mostly the external invasion of wind and pathogenic toxins and the internal disturbance of dampness and toxins,resulting in the obstruction of collaterals and muscle regions of meridians.The treatment should be guided by the"unity of form(body)and spirit(Shen)",paying attention to the movement of the spirit,dispelling evils,and regulating the spirit.Professor WANG believes that when the spirit initiates,the healthy Qi is strong,and the pathogen subsides.In the treatment,he is good at combining acupuncture and medication for a synergistic effect,stresses the use of scalp points,and coins the empirical point Miandong(Extra).At the same time,he does not restrict himself to the traditional needling method and treats facial paralysis with"dynamic retention acupuncture".

Esophageal cancer is the seventh most common cancer worldwide. On August 29, 2023, National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) released the NCCN esophageal and esophagogastric junction cancers clinical practice guidelines in oncology (version 3. 2023). This article aims to highlight the key updates in treatment and follow-up recommendations between the version 3 and the version 2 in 2023, providing the latest guidance for the management of esophageal cancer in our country.

Objective To summarize the isolation and drug resistance rate of Escherichia coliin The First Hospital of China Medical University over the past 10 years,in order to provide evidence for the efficacies of clinical anti-infection treatments.Methods The data was collected from Escherichia coli isolated from patients treated at The First Hospital of China Medical University between 2013 and 2022.VITEK 2 and VITEK MS were used for bacterial identification,VITEK2 and KB method were used for drug sensi-tivity testing,and WHONET 5.6 software was used for analysis.Results From 2013 to 2022,6 845 strains were isolated,including 80.5%from inpatients and 19.5%from emergency and outpatients.The specimens were most commonly found in the urine(57.8%),blood(15.0%),secretions(9.2%),and drainage fluid(8.1%).The isolation rate of extended-spectrumβ-lactamase(ESBL)producing Escherichia coli was 57.2%(54.3%to 61.5%).The drug resistance rate of Escherichia coli to carbapenems was low,at only 1.2%(0.2%to 2.6%).Conclusion Escherichia coli remains an important pathogen in clinical infections,with varying degrees of resist-ance to multiple antibiotics,and the resistance rate is increasing.Clinical physicians should pay sufficient attention to this issue.