ObjectiveTo investigate the role and mechanism of action of paeoniflorin （PF） in protecting HepG2 cells induced by palmitic acid （PA）. MethodsHepG2 cells were stimulated with PA at a concentration of 250 μmol/L to establish a NAFLD model. Compound C at a concentration of 10 μmol/L was used as an inhibitor， and PF at a concentration of 25 μmol/L was used for intervention. The experiment was divided into normal group （CON group） treated with complete culture medium， model group （MOD group） treated with PA， PF treatment group （MOD+PF group） treated with PA and PF， model+inhibitor group （MOD+COM group） treated with PA and Compound C， and model+inhibitor+PF group （MOD+COM+PF group） treated with PA， Compound C， and PF. Kits were used to measure lipid deposition indicators， liver function parameters， oxidative stress indicators， and inflammation indicators； oil red O staining was used to observe lipid deposition； Western Blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of AMPK， SIRT1， PGC-1α， mTOR， Beclin-1， LC3， and P62 in cells. The one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of quantitative data between groups， while the Tukey’s test was used for comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the MOD group， PF improved the levels of TC and TG （P<0.05）， reduced the levels of ALT， AST， CRP， TNF-α， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.05）， increased the activity of SOD and CAT and the level of GSH， and reduced the level of MDA in cells （all P<0.05）. Oil red O staining showed that PF alleviated lipid deposition in cells. Western blot results showed that compared with the MOD group， PF increased the protein expression levels of p-AMPK， SIRT1， PGC-1α， LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ， and Beclin-1 and reduced the protein expression levels of p-mTOR and P62 （all P<0.05）. ConclusionPF can inhibit PA-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory response in HepG2 cells， improve lipid deposition， and promote autophagy via the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α/mTOR signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo develop a scale for evaluating the syndrome of internal retention of dampness and turbidity in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） that combines disease and syndrome and has the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. MethodsAn item pool was established for evaluating the syndrome of internal retention of dampness and turbidity in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） with reference to the guideline for developing international scales. A clinical survey was conducted among the outpatients and inpatients who were diagnosed with NAFLD and had the syndrome of internal retention of dampness and turbidity in Department of Hepatology and Spleen-Stomach， The First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine， from June to August， 2023， and the items were screened based on the classical test theory and the item response theory. An expert questionnaire was developed， and expert discussions were conducted using the Delphi method to identify the items for evaluating the syndrome of internal retention of dampness and turbidity in NAFLD. Finally， the scale was given scientific scores. ResultsA preliminary item pool was established， with 16 primary items and 22 secondary items， and it was divided into the two dimensions of disease and syndrome type. Clinical pre-survey suggested to retain 9 primary items and 14 secondary items， while the Delphi expert questionnaire recommended to retain 11 primary items and 15 secondary items， and tongue manifestation and pulse manifestation were no longer used for assessing the severity of syndrome. After hierarchical analysis and scientific assignment of scores， the scale for evaluating the syndrome of internal retention of dampness and turbidity in NAFLD had a total score of 123 points and 9 important items， i.e.， discomfort in the hypochondrium， abdominal fullness and distension， obesity， heaviness of the head and body， loose stool， anorexia， coughing up phlegm， nausea with a tendency to vomit， and lethargy. ConclusionA preliminary scale is established for evaluating the syndrome of internal retention of dampness and turbidity in NAFLD， which fills the gap in this research field and provides a basis for further clinical application.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.07.004.].

Apical microsurgery is accurate and minimally invasive, produces few complications, and has a success rate of more than 90%. However, due to the lack of awareness and understanding of apical microsurgery by dental general practitioners and even endodontists, many clinical problems remain to be overcome. The consensus has gathered well-known domestic experts to hold a series of special discussions and reached the consensus. This document specifies the indications, contraindications, preoperative preparations, operational procedures, complication prevention measures, and efficacy evaluation of apical microsurgery and is applicable to dentists who perform apical microsurgery after systematic training.
Microsurgery/standards* ; Humans ; Apicoectomy ; Contraindications, Procedure ; Tooth Apex/diagnostic imaging* ; Postoperative Complications/prevention & control* ; Consensus ; Treatment Outcome

Pulpotomy, which belongs to vital pulp therapy, has become a strategy for managing pulpitis in recent decades. This minimally invasive treatment reflects the recognition of preserving healthy dental pulp and optimizing long-term patient-centered outcomes. Pulpotomy is categorized into partial pulpotomy (PP), the removal of a partial segment of the coronal pulp tissue, and full pulpotomy (FP), the removal of whole coronal pulp, which is followed by applying the biomaterials onto the remaining pulp tissue and ultimately restoring the tooth. Procedural decisions for the amount of pulp tissue removal or retention depend on the diagnostic of pulp vitality, the overall treatment plan, the patient's general health status, and pulp inflammation reassessment during operation. This statement represents the consensus of an expert committee convened by the Society of Cariology and Endodontics, Chinese Stomatological Association. It addresses the current evidence to support the application of pulpotomy as a potential alternative to root canal treatment (RCT) on mature permanent teeth with pulpitis from a biological basis, the development of capping biomaterial, and the diagnostic considerations to evidence-based medicine. This expert statement intends to provide a clinical protocol of pulpotomy, which facilitates practitioners in choosing the optimal procedure and increasing their confidence in this rapidly evolving field.
Humans ; Calcium Compounds/therapeutic use* ; Consensus ; Dental Pulp ; Dentition, Permanent ; Oxides/therapeutic use* ; Pulpitis/therapy* ; Pulpotomy/standards*

Intentional tooth replantation (ITR) is an advanced treatment modality and the procedure of last resort for preserving teeth with inaccessible endodontic or resorptive lesions. ITR is defined as the deliberate extraction of a tooth; evaluation of the root surface, endodontic manipulation, and repair; and placement of the tooth back into its original socket. Case reports, case series, cohort studies, and randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of ITR in the retention of natural teeth that are untreatable or difficult to manage with root canal treatment or endodontic microsurgery. However, variations in clinical protocols for ITR exist due to the empirical nature of the original protocols and rapid advancements in the field of oral biology and dental materials. This heterogeneity in protocols may cause confusion among dental practitioners; therefore, guidelines and considerations for ITR should be explicated. This expert consensus discusses the biological foundation of ITR, the available clinical protocols and current status of ITR in treating teeth with refractory apical periodontitis or anatomical aberration, and the main complications of this treatment, aiming to refine the clinical management of ITR in accordance with the progress of basic research and clinical studies; the findings suggest that ITR may become a more consistent evidence-based option in dental treatment.
Humans ; Tooth Replantation/methods* ; Consensus ; Periapical Periodontitis/surgery*

Instrument separation is a critical complication during root canal therapy, impacting treatment success and long-term tooth preservation. The etiology of instrument separation is multifactorial, involving the intricate anatomy of the root canal system, instrument-related factors, and instrumentation techniques. Instrument separation can hinder thorough cleaning, shaping, and obturation of the root canal, posing challenges to successful treatment outcomes. Although retrieval of separated instrument is often feasible, it carries risks including perforation, excessive removal of tooth structure and root fractures. Effective management of separated instruments requires a comprehensive understanding of the contributing factors, meticulous preoperative assessment, and precise evaluation of the retrieval difficulty. The application of appropriate retrieval techniques is essential to minimize complications and optimize clinical outcomes. The current manuscript provides a framework for understanding the causes, risk factors, and clinical management principles of instrument separation. By integrating effective strategies, endodontists can enhance decision-making, improve endodontic treatment success and ensure the preservation of natural dentition.
Humans ; Root Canal Therapy/adverse effects* ; Consensus ; Root Canal Preparation/adverse effects*

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of modified Weijingtang on the pyroptosis of RAW264.7 macrophages via the cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase-1）/gasdermin D （GSDMD） pathway. MethodLipopolysaccharide （LPS） was used to induce pyroptosis of RAW264.7 cells. The blank group was treated with the blank serum， and the intervention groups were treated with the sera containing different doses of modified Weijingtang. After 24 h， the viability of cells in different groups was examined by the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）. The pyroptosis and morphology of cells in each group were observed by a scanning electron microscope and a phase-contrast microscope， respectively. The mRNA and protein levels of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， Caspase-1， and GSDMD in each group were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot， respectively. The levels of interleukin （IL）-18 and IL-1β in each group were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ResultUnder the electron microscope， RAW264.7 cells presented the best morphology and structure in the blank group and obvious pyroptosis and leakage of cell contents in the model （LPS） group. Compared with the model group， the intervention groups showed reduced pyroptosis to varying degrees， and the high-dose group had the closest cell morphology and structure to the blank group. Under the optical microscope， RAW264.7 cells were spherical in the blank group and irregular with protrusions in the model group. Compared with the model group， the intervention groups showed improved cell morphology， and the cell morphology in the group with the dose of 20% was the closest to that in the blank group. The mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD in the model group were higher than those in the blank group （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， each intervention group showed down-regulated expression of the above indicators （P<0.05）. Compared with the blank group， the model group presented elevated levels of IL-18 and IL-1β （P<0.05）， which were lowered in the intervention （10%， 20%） groups （P<0.01）. ConclusionModified Weijingtang inhibits the pyroptosis of macrophages by down-regulating the Caspase-1/GSDMD pathway and reducing the release of proinflammatory cytokines.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of 5,6-dimethylxanthe-none-4-acetic acid(DMXAA)on metastasis of Lewis lung cancer(LLC)in mice.METHODS The inhibi-tory effect of DMXAA on tumor metastasis was analyzed via an LLC xenograft tumor model and LLC metastatic tumor model.The mice of LLC xenograft tumor model were randomly divided into three groups:model group(physiological saline containing 1%DMSO,ip,once every two days),model+suni-tinib group(30 mg·kg-1,ip,once every two days),and model+DMXAA group(25 mg·kg-1,ip,once).Tumor volume and body mass were measured once every two days after administration.Two and five days after administration,tumor mass was measured by sacrificing the mice,followed by immunofluores-cence staining of tumor tissues.Platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1(CD31)and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)were used to analyze the vascular structure of tumor tissues.The tumor hypoxia level was detected using the hypoxia probe pimonidazole staining.The mice of LLC metastatic tumor model were randomly divided into three groups:model group(physiological saline containing 1%DMSO,ip,twice a week),model+sunitinib group(60 mg·kg-1,ip,twice a week),and model+DMXAA group(25 mg·kg-1,ip,once).At the Two and five weeks after administration,the in vivo tumor growth and metastasis were observed and quantified using a small animal live imaging system.RESULTS Compared with the model group,the tumor volume and mass of the model+sunitinib group and model+ DMXAA group were significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01),and DMXAA took effect faster and more significantly than sunitinib.At the same time,compared with the model group,the body mass in the model+sunitinib group decreased significantly(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference in body mass the model+DMXAA group.Compared with the model group,model+sunitinib had no effect on tumor metastasis,but model+DMXAA significantly reduced tumor metastasis two weeks after administration(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the coverage rate of α-SMA/CD31 in the model+sunitinib group and model+DMXAA group increased significantly(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,there was no significant change in the tumor hypoxia area in the model+sunitinib group,but this in the model+DMXAA group decreased significantly(P<0.01).CONCLUSION DMXAA significantly inhibits the growth and metastasis of LLC in mice,and its mechanism may be related to its improvement of tumor vascular normalization and hyposic microenvironments.

Objective To investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of Liuwei Dihuang Glucoside(LW-AFC)against fear sensitization induced by traumatic stress.Methods Mice were divided into naive,control,stressed and LW-AFC administration groups.The LW-AFC treated group received LW-AFC(1.6 g/kg daily)via oral gavage for two weeks following exposure to traumatic stress.The non-associative memory dependent fear sensitization responses in mice subjected to trauma were investigated,including behavior in novel environments,social interaction,and observational fear tests.Z-score normalization method was employed to integrate and assess multiple behavioral variables such as travel distance,freezing time,and corner time,and comprehensively examined fear sensitization behaviors across the groups.Additionally,serum concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone,corticosterone,aldosterone,renin,angiotensin Ⅱ,and aldosterone were measured using ELISA.Results Compared to the control group,stressed mice exhibited significantly reduced travel distance(P<0.0001)and increased freezing time(P<0.0001)in the new context test.Integrated Z-scores indicated a significant increase in fear behavior among stressed mice during the new context test(P<0.0001).In the social interaction test,stressed mice demonstrated significantly reduced travel distance(P<0.0001),increased freezing time(P<0.0001),increased corner time(P<0.05),and higher integrated Z-scores(P<0.0001).In the observational fear test,stressed mice showed significantly reduced travel distance(P<0.05),increased freezing time(P<0.001),increased corner time(P<0.05),and higher integrated Z-scores(P<0.0001).Compared to the stressed group,mice in the LW-AFC treated group displayed trends toward improvement in travel distance,freezing time,corner time,and integrated Z-scores in the new context tests,albeit without statistical significance.In the social interaction test,the LW-AFC treated group exhibited a significant reduction in freezing time(P<0.05)and integrated Z-scores(P<0.05).In the observational fear test,the LW-AFC treated group showed a significant reduction in freezing time(P<0.05)and integrated Z-scores(P<0.01).Compared to the naive group,control and stressed groups exhibited an increased trend in renin and aldosterone levels after the fear sensitization test.Although there were no significant differences between stressed and control groups,renin and aldosterone levels significantly increased between stressed and naive groups(P<0.05,P<0.05).Following LW-AFC treatment,serum renin levels showed no significant change,while aldosterone levels significantly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion Stressed mice exhibited significant fear sensitization behavior in new context,social interaction,and observational fear tests,possibly associated with partial activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system(RAAS)system.LW-AFC treatment significantly mitigated fear sensitization behavior of stressed mice in social interaction and observational fear test,potentially due to its regulatory effects on the RAAS system in mice subjected to traumatic stress.