Clear aligner treatment is a novel technique in current orthodontic practice. Distinct from traditional fixed orthodontic appliances, clear aligners have different material features and biomechanical characteristics and treatment efficiencies, presenting new clinical challenges. Therefore, a comprehensive and systematic description of the key clinical aspects of clear aligner treatment is essential to enhance treatment efficacy and facilitate the advancement and wide adoption of this new technique. This expert consensus discusses case selection and grading of treatment difficulty, principle of clear aligner therapy, clinical procedures and potential complications, which are crucial to the clinical success of clear aligner treatment.
Humans ; Consensus ; Orthodontic Appliance Design ; Orthodontic Appliances, Removable ; Tooth Movement Techniques/methods* ; Malocclusion/therapy* ; Orthodontics, Corrective/instrumentation*

Objective To investigate the value of ultrasonographic features combined with immunohistochemistry in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in middle-aged women with breast cancer.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 827 middle-aged female breast cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment at the Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University from June 2017 to June 2023.Ultrasonographic and immunohistochemical information was collected,and the patients were randomly allocated into a training set(579 patients)and a validation set(248 patients).Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify ultrasonographic and immunohistochemical risk factors associated with axillary lymph node metastasis in these patients,and a nomogram model was developed.Receiver operating characteristic curves and calibration curves were established to evaluate the performance of the nomogram model,and clinical decision curves were built to assess the clinical value of the model.Results The maximum diameter,morphology,boundary,calcification,and expression of human epidermal growth facor receptor 2 and Ki-67 in breast cancer lesions were identified as risk factors for predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in middle-aged women.The areas under the curve of the nomogram model on the training and validation sets were 0.747(0.707-0.787)and 0.714(0.647-0.780),respectively.Calibration curves and clinical decision curves indicated good consistency and performance of the model.Conclusion The nomogram model constructed based on ultrasonographic features and immunohistochemistry of the primary breast cancer lesion demonstrates high value in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in middle-aged women with breast cancer.
Humans ; Female ; Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Middle Aged ; Lymphatic Metastasis/diagnostic imaging* ; Axilla ; Retrospective Studies ; Nomograms ; Ultrasonography ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes/diagnostic imaging* ; Risk Factors ; Ki-67 Antigen

ObjectiveTo analyze and construct a curriculum framework and content system of the vocational college rehabilitation therapy technology exercise therapy technology course, based on World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and rehabilitation competency framework (RCF). MethodsUsing educational psychology and curriculum theory, and applying the ICF and RCF, the curriculum system for rehabilitation therapy technology curriculum system was constructed. A systematic analysis of the existing exercise therapy technology course content was conducted to identify the core elements related to ICF and RCF. Through the design of course modules, these core elements were integrated into theoretical courses, skills training and practical courses to form a comprehensive curriculum structure. ResultsCombining the ICF and RCF, a curriculum system for rehabilitation therapy technology curriculum system was constructed, covering theoretical courses, skills training and practical courses. This system enabled students to systematically master rehabilitation assessment and treatment techniques and develop clinical decision-making abilities and interdisciplinary collaboration skills. The introduction of the ICF framework allowed students to acquire knowledge, skills and abilities in the field of exercise therapy technology through the course. Developing competency-oriented courses based on RCF framework helped students develop comprehensive professional competencies through learning. ConclusionBy integrating the ICF and RCF, a curriculum for exercise therapy technology course in vocational colleges has been constructed. Based on the ICF framework, the content of the course has been aligned with the bio-psycho-social theory of functioning and health, covering three levels: body function, activity and participation, and environmental factors. The curriculum content should include the analysis, assessment and intervention of these functioning. RCF provides a theoretical structure and methodology for developing competency-oriented courses. When designing the course modules, teaching objectives have been established based on the core competency framework, aiming to develop students' comprehensive professional competence and professionalism through theoretical courses, practical training and clinical internships.

Objective To study the therapeutic effect of the type Ⅰ tympanoplasty by the continuous irriga-ting endoscopic ear surgery mode.Methods A total of 50 patients with chronic suppurative otitis media,who pre-pared for the type Ⅰ tympanoplasty in our department,were divided into the traditional operation mode group(20 cases)and the continuous irrigating mode group(30 cases).All patients underwent underlay myringoplasty with tragus cartilage and perichondria limplant.The operation time and postoperative outcome of the two groups were compared and analyzed.Results The mean operation time of the traditional group and the irrigating operation group was 66.10±2.43 minutes and 46.81±5.12 minutes respectively,and there was statistical difference between the two groups(P＜0.05).The tympanic membrane healing rate of the traditional group and the irrigating operation group was 100.00％and 96.67％respectively,and there was no statistical difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).The mean air conduction threshold and the value of air-bone gap were significantly reduced at 2 months after operation compared with that before operation(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference between the two groups in the average pre and post-operative air-bone gaps(P＞0.05).The incidence rates of postoperative compli-cations were 10.00％and 3.33％,respectively,with no statistical significance(P＞0.05).Conclusion The contin-uous irrigating endoscopic ear surgery mode is safe and effective.Under the premise of ensuring clinical efficacy,the operation time is shortened,and it is worth popularizing in middle ear surgery.

Objective To statistically analyze the allergen-specific IgE test results for allergic patients and observe the distribution of allergens and their prevalence trends.Methods Allergen-specific IgE test results were collected from 12 486 patients with suspected allergic diseases who attended the outpatient clinic of the Department of Dermatology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from January 2018 to December 2023,and the distribution of the positivity rate of various allergens and their differences among different age,gender and seasonal subgroups were statistically analyzed.Results Allergen-specific IgE positive results were found in 5 109 cases out of 12 486 patients with suspected allergic diseases,with a positive rate of 40.92%.Between different gender groups,the allergen positivity rate were 45.41%(2 371/5 221)in males and 37.69%(2 738/7 265)in females,respectively,and the difference in positivity rate between males and females was statistically significant(x2=74.99,P<0.001).The allergen positivity rate among different age groups was highest in the 3～<6 years group(60.00%),followed by the 6～<18 years group(54.92%),and lowest in the≥60 years group(29.18%),with statistically significant differences in allergen positivity rates among different age groups(x2=344.97,P<0.001).The top three overall allergen positivity rates were milk(11.73%),dwarf ragweed/artemisia/rudolfia/quinoa(11.43%)and house dust mite(10.82%),and the positivity rates of milk and house dust mite had a tendency to increase year by year.The highest allergen positivity rate among groups in different seasons was in summer(42.28%),followed by fall(41.32%)and lowest in winter(38.31%),and the difference in allergen positivity rates among the four seasons was statistically significant(x2=9.09,P=0.028).Dwarf ragweed/artemisia/rutabaga/quinoa had the highest positivity rate in the fall(15.75%),while milk(14.59%)and egg white(2.58%)had the highest positivity rates in the summer,and the differences in the positivity rates of dwarf ragweed/artemisia/rutabaga/quinoa,milk and egg white between the four seasons were statistically significant(x2=92.50,70.45,8.10,all P<0.05).Multiple positives were present for allergen-specific IgE,with 22.18%single positives and 18.92%double and more than double positives.Positive test results for ingestion were mainly distributed in the lower levels,while positive test results for inhalation were more distributed in the higher levels,especially for dwarf ragweed/artemisia/rutabaga/quinoa,which were most distributed in level 6.Conclusion Different types of allergens have different distribution characteristics among different genders,ages and seasons,the distribution levels of positive results are different,and there are multiple positive results.Based on the distribution characteristics of allergens in the region,rational arrangement of the dietary and living shoule be mode to avoid the risks and to reduce the probability of the occurrence of allergic diseases.

Objective To monitor the antifungal resistance of clinical isolates of Candida spp.in the East China region.Methods MALDI-TOF MS or molecular methods were used to re-identify the strains collected from January 2018 to December 2022.Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed using the broth microdilution method.The susceptibility test results were interpreted according to the breakpoints of 2022 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)documents M27 M44s-Ed3 and M57s-Ed4.Results A total of 3 026 strains of Candida were collected,65.33％of which were isolated from sterile body sites,mainly from blood(38.86％)and pleural effusion/ascites(10.21％).The predominant species of Candida were Candida albicans(44.51％),followed by Candida parapsilosis complex(19.46％),Candida tropicalis(13.98％),Candida glabrata(10.34％),and other Candida species(0.79％).Candida albicans showed overall high susceptibility rates to the 10 antifungal drugs tested(the lowest rate being 93.62％).Only 2.97％of the strains showed dose-dependent susceptibility(SDD)to fluconazole.Candida parapsilosis complex had a SDD rate of 2.61％and a resistance rate of 9.42％to fluconazole,and susceptibility rates above 90％to other drugs.Candida glabrata had a SDD rate of 92.01％and a resistance rate of 7.99％to fluconazole,resistance rates of 32.27％and 48.24％to posaconazole and voriconazole non-wild-type strains(NWT),respectively,and susceptibility rates above 90％to other drugs.Candida tropicalis had resistance rates of 29.55％and 26.24％to fluconazole and voriconazole,respectively,resistance rates of 76.60％and 21.99％to posaconazole and echinocandins non-wild-type strains(NWT),and a resistance rate of 2.36％to echinocandins.Conclusions The prevalence and species distribution of Candida spp.in the East China region are consistent with previous domestic and international reports.Candida glabrata exhibits certain degree of resistance to fluconazole,while Candida tropicalis demonstrates higher resistance to triazole drugs.Additionally,echinocandins resistance has emerged in Candida albicans,Candida glabrata,Candida tropicalis,and Candida parapsilosis.

Ischemic stroke is an acute cerebro-vascular disease with high disability and mortality,is the most common cause of death in China.De-spite years of research,there are still no biomark-ers for stroke,and the molecular mechanisms re-main largely unknown.In the past decade,single-cell sequencing technology,as a rapidly developing emerging technology,can conduct high-throughput sequencing of multiple omics including genome,transcriptome,epigenome and proteome at the level of a single cell,providing a new way to discov-er biomarkers and analyze pathological mecha-nisms.In this paper,the progress of single-cell multi-omics sequencing technology and its applica-tion in the discovery of biomarkers,pathological mechanisms and drug development of ischemic stroke are introduced in detail,in order to provide valuable reference for precision medicine of isch-emic stroke.

Objective To investigate the effect of miR-22-3p on pyroptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)induced by homocysteine(Hcy).Methods Human VSMCs were cultured in vitro and divided into a Control group(0 μmol/L Hey)and a Hey group(100 μmol/L Hey).After intervention,expression levels of pro Caspase-1,gasdermin D(GSDMD),N-GSDMD,and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3)were detected by Western blot.MiR-22-3p expression was determined by quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.Interleukin(IL)-1 β and IL-18 levels in the supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Cells were also transfected with control miR-22-3p(miR-22-3p-NC),miR-22-3p-mimic,and miR-22-3p-inhibitor,to observe the effects on VSMC pyroptosis induced by Hcy.Results Expression levels of pro Caspase-1,GSDMD,N-GSDMD,and NLRP3 in VSMCs were increased(P＜0.05),IL-1 β and IL-18 levels were increased(P＜0.01),and the relative expression level of miR-22-3p was reduced(P＜0.01)in the Hcy group compared with the Control group.Transfection with miR-22-3p-mimic significantly decreased the expression levels of pro Caspase-1,GSDMD,N-GSDMD,and NLRP3 in VSMCs(P＜0.01),and significantly decreased levels of IL-1β and IL-18(P＜0.01),while transfection with miR-22-3p-inhibitor significantly increased the expression levels of pro Caspase-1,GSDMD,N-GSDMD,and NLRP3 in VSMCs(P＜0.01)and significantly increased the levels of IL-1β and IL-18(P＜0.05).Conclusions MiR-22-3p may delay Hcy-induced VSMC pyroptosis.

Objective:To explore the application value and damage control of minimally inva-sive techniques in the treatment of acute incarcerated inguinal hernias in the elderly.Methods:In this study,62 elderly patients with acute incarcerated inguinal hernias admitted to the department of emergency surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 2018 to June 2023 were selected as the research subjects.After obtaining informed consent from the pa-tient's family for both treatment modalities,they were randomly divided into open surgery group and laparoscopic surgery group.Differences in clinical efficacy,perioperative indicators,post-operative complications,and prognostic follow-up of the two groups of patients were observed.Seven cases of elderly patients aged above 80 had many underlying diseases and poor tolerance during surgery.After treatment of lesions in the hernia contents,only damage control surgery for hernia sac high ligation was performed.Results:In comparison to patients treated with laparo-scopic surgery,there were statistically significant differences(P＜0.05)in the open surgery group in clinical efficacy(efficacy,ineffectiveness,and overall effectiveness),perioperative indicators(length of stay,recovery time of digestive tract function,and VAS pain score),post-operative complica-tions,and prognostic follow-up(local mass,chronic pain,and ratio of second-stage hernia sur-gery).Seven patients treated according to injury control strategies all recovered and discharged from hospital after surgery.Conclusion:Emergency laparoscopic surgery for detecting incarcer-ated inguinal hernias in the elderly is safe and feasible.At the same time,it is essential to correctly assess the patient's vital signs during surgery.If necessary,surgery should be simplified to provide opportunities for follow-up treatment.

Hepatohilar cholangiocarcinoma is a common malignant tumor of the biliary system,and radical surgery is one of the important treatment methods.Due to the narrow space at the hi-lum and the high rate of anatomical variation,radical surgery is challenging.By using medical imag-ing technology and 3D reconstruction,surgeons can accurately determine the stage and classifica-tion of hilar cholangiocarcinoma preoperatively.They can assess the tumor's resectability by Ac-cording to the bile duct separation limit points(U point,P point)and anticipate the impact of portal vein,bile duct,and arterial variations on the surgical plan,thereby improving the rate of radical re-section and reducing complication rates.