Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） is a chronic metabolic liver disorder with complex etiologies. Different clinical phenotypes of MAFLD （such as obesity， hyperlipidemia， type 2 diabetes mellitus， the postmenopausal state， and chronic hepatitis B） have different mechanisms of action in the development and progression of MAFLD， leading to high heterogeneity in its clinical progression and prognosis. This article systematically reviews the pathogeneses and clinical features of the above five clinical phenotypes of MAFLD and elaborates on the corresponding individualized diagnosis and treatment regimens integrating traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine， in order to provide a reference for clinical practice and improve clinical diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism of Yangfei tongluo formula in delaying airway remodeling in post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans （PIBO） model rats.METHODS Forty-eight 2-week-old SPF male SD rats were randomly divided into control group （Control group）， PIBO model group （Model group）， Prednisone Acetate tablets+Azithromycin tablets group [positive control group， Prednisone Acetate tablets 0.006 3 g/（kg·d）+Azithromycin tablets 0.031 5 g/（kg·d）]， and high-， medium-， and low-dose Yangfei tongluo formula groups [42.42， 21.21， 10.60 g/（kg·d）]. The PIBO rat model was established by intratracheal instillation of diacetyl. After modeling， rats in each group were administered corresponding drug solution or distilled water by gavage once daily for 21 consecutive days. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate the pathological changes of lung tissue， and Masson staining was used to assess the degree of pulmonary fibrosis. Western blot and real-time quantitative PCR were performed to detect the protein and mRNA expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT）-related markers [E-cadherin， N-cadherin， α -smooth muscle actin （ α -SMA）， Vimentin] and transcription factors [snail homolog 1（Drosophila）-like 1 protein （Snail1）， zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox protein 1 （ZEB1）， Twist-related protein 1 （Twist1）] in lung tissue. ELISA was used to detect the levels of transforming growth factor-β 1 （TGF-β 1 ） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.RESULTS Compared with the Control group， the lung tissues of rats in the Model group showed extensive destruction of alveolar structure and massive inflammatory cell infiltration in the interstitium. The protein and mRNA expression levels of E-cadherin were significantly decreased， while the protein and mRNA expression levels of N-cadherin， Vimentin， α -SMA， Snail1， ZEB1， and Twist1， as well as the collagen-positive area and the levels of TGF-β 1 and VEGF， were significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）. Compared with the Model group， the pathological injury of lung tissue in each administration group was significantly improved， and the above indicators （except collagen-positive area） were significantly reversed （ P ＜0.05）.CONCLUSIONS Yangfei tongluo formula may delay airway remodeling in PIBO by regulating the TGF-β 1 /VEGF-mediated signaling network and inhibiting the activation of EMT-related transcription factors， thereby blocking the EMT process.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of radiotherapy in patients with advanced esophageal cancer receiving first-line chemoimmunotherapy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 137 patients with Stage Ⅳ esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated at our hospital from January 2018 to May 2023. These patients were divided into two groups: a group treated with first-line chemoimmunotherapy combined with radiotherapy (chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group, n = 43) and a group treated with only chemoimmunotherapy ( n = 94). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was applied to balance baseline characteristics between the groups. With overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) as study endpoints, the survival data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test, and the Cox regression method. Results:Before calibration, the chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group significantly outperformed the sole chemoimmunotherapy group in median PFS (13.6 months vs. 7.0 months; HR: 0.501, 95% CI: 0.309-0.811, P = 0.005). After calibration using the COX proportional-hazards model for age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, smoking history, T/N/M stage, and tumor location, the chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group still had significant advantages in PFS (14.7 months vs. 7.0 months; HR: 0.441, 95% CI: 0.261-0.745, P = 0.002). IPTW analysis further confirmed this trend (13.9 months vs. 7.0 months; HR: 0.492, 95% CI: 0.304-0.795, P < 0.001). Specifically, the median OS of the chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group demonstrated significant improvement in all analyses: pre-calibration (29.5 months vs. 18.0 months; HR: 0.507, 95% CI: 0.297-0.867, P = 0.013), after calibration using the Cox model (27.5 months vs. 16.7 months; HR: 0.470, 95% CI: 0.266-0.830, P = 0.009), and after calibration using IPTW (29.5 months vs. 16.9 months; HR: 0.448, 95% CI: 0.262-0.764, P < 0.001). Conclusions:The combination of radiotherapy and first-line chemoimmunotherapy can significantly improve survival outcomes of patients with advanced ESCC, suggesting its potential as a standard treatment strategy.

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

Objective:To explore the effect of carboxylated polyamidoamine (PAMAM-COOH) in combination with magnesium ions on the remineralization ability of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) in inducing remineralization of dentin collagen fibers in a 50% ethanol solution.Methods:Forty-five intact third molars extracted for impaction reasons were obtained from the College & Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University. Two types of demineralized dentin specimens were prepared: ①Fully demineralized dentin ( n=30), specimens were immersed in 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (pH=7.4) at room temperature for 14 days with daily solution refreshment; ②Partially demineralized dentin ( n=15), specimens were treated with 37% phosphoric acid gel (Ultra-Etch, Ultradent) for 15 seconds followed by thorough rinsing with deionized water. Three remineralization groups were established for demineralized dentin treatment: ①Control group, 50% ethanol solution; ②ACMP group, 50% ethanol solution containing amorphous magnesium calcium phosphate (ACMP); ③PAMAM-COOH/ACMP group, 50% ethanol solution incorporating carboxylated polyamidoamine dendrimer-modified ACMP (PAMAM-COOH/ACMP). The chemical composition of remineralization solutions was analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectrum (FTIR). The morphology and particle size distribution of nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscope (TEM). The fully demineralized dentin specimens were treated with three different remineralization solutions (37 ℃ for 7 days) respectively. The mineralization of the dentin collagen fibers surface was observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the distribution of minerals inside and outside the collagen fibers was examined by using TEM. The partially demineralized dentin specimens were treated with fluorescence-labeled remineralization solutions (37 ℃ for 7 days) respectively, followed by analysis using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to quantitatively evaluate the penetration depth of the mineralization agents. Results:FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of characteristic absorption peaks corresponding to phosphate (PO 43-) groups, carbon-nitrogen bonds, and amide linkages in the PAMAM-COOH/ACMP nanocomposite. TEM observed that the PAMAM-COOH/ACMP nanoparticles exhibited an average particle size of (36.85±8.02) nm in an amorphous state. SEM observation indicates continuous mineral deposition on dentin collagen fibers in the PAMAM-COOH/ACMP group, while no mineral deposition in the control group and only minimal deposition in the ACMP group. TEM showed no mineral deposition inside or outside the collagen fibers in the control group, only external mineral deposition in the ACMP group, and high-density mineral deposition both inside and outside the fibers in the PAMAM-COOH/ACMP group. CLSM analysis revealed a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05) in the depth of mineralized substances entering dentin tubules between ACMP group and PAMAM-COOH/ACMP group. Conclusions:The remineralization system of 50% ethanol solution incorporating PAMAM-COOH/ACMP successfully achieved the internal and external mineralization of demineralized dentin collagen fibers.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of radiotherapy in patients with advanced esophageal cancer receiving first-line chemoimmunotherapy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 137 patients with Stage Ⅳ esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated at our hospital from January 2018 to May 2023. These patients were divided into two groups: a group treated with first-line chemoimmunotherapy combined with radiotherapy (chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group, n = 43) and a group treated with only chemoimmunotherapy ( n = 94). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was applied to balance baseline characteristics between the groups. With overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) as study endpoints, the survival data were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test, and the Cox regression method. Results:Before calibration, the chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group significantly outperformed the sole chemoimmunotherapy group in median PFS (13.6 months vs. 7.0 months; HR: 0.501, 95% CI: 0.309-0.811, P = 0.005). After calibration using the COX proportional-hazards model for age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, smoking history, T/N/M stage, and tumor location, the chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group still had significant advantages in PFS (14.7 months vs. 7.0 months; HR: 0.441, 95% CI: 0.261-0.745, P = 0.002). IPTW analysis further confirmed this trend (13.9 months vs. 7.0 months; HR: 0.492, 95% CI: 0.304-0.795, P < 0.001). Specifically, the median OS of the chemoimmunotherapy + radiotherapy group demonstrated significant improvement in all analyses: pre-calibration (29.5 months vs. 18.0 months; HR: 0.507, 95% CI: 0.297-0.867, P = 0.013), after calibration using the Cox model (27.5 months vs. 16.7 months; HR: 0.470, 95% CI: 0.266-0.830, P = 0.009), and after calibration using IPTW (29.5 months vs. 16.9 months; HR: 0.448, 95% CI: 0.262-0.764, P < 0.001). Conclusions:The combination of radiotherapy and first-line chemoimmunotherapy can significantly improve survival outcomes of patients with advanced ESCC, suggesting its potential as a standard treatment strategy.

Objective:To explore the effect of carboxylated polyamidoamine (PAMAM-COOH) in combination with magnesium ions on the remineralization ability of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) in inducing remineralization of dentin collagen fibers in a 50% ethanol solution.Methods:Forty-five intact third molars extracted for impaction reasons were obtained from the College & Hospital of Stomatology, Guangxi Medical University. Two types of demineralized dentin specimens were prepared: ①Fully demineralized dentin ( n=30), specimens were immersed in 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (pH=7.4) at room temperature for 14 days with daily solution refreshment; ②Partially demineralized dentin ( n=15), specimens were treated with 37% phosphoric acid gel (Ultra-Etch, Ultradent) for 15 seconds followed by thorough rinsing with deionized water. Three remineralization groups were established for demineralized dentin treatment: ①Control group, 50% ethanol solution; ②ACMP group, 50% ethanol solution containing amorphous magnesium calcium phosphate (ACMP); ③PAMAM-COOH/ACMP group, 50% ethanol solution incorporating carboxylated polyamidoamine dendrimer-modified ACMP (PAMAM-COOH/ACMP). The chemical composition of remineralization solutions was analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectrum (FTIR). The morphology and particle size distribution of nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscope (TEM). The fully demineralized dentin specimens were treated with three different remineralization solutions (37 ℃ for 7 days) respectively. The mineralization of the dentin collagen fibers surface was observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the distribution of minerals inside and outside the collagen fibers was examined by using TEM. The partially demineralized dentin specimens were treated with fluorescence-labeled remineralization solutions (37 ℃ for 7 days) respectively, followed by analysis using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to quantitatively evaluate the penetration depth of the mineralization agents. Results:FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of characteristic absorption peaks corresponding to phosphate (PO 43-) groups, carbon-nitrogen bonds, and amide linkages in the PAMAM-COOH/ACMP nanocomposite. TEM observed that the PAMAM-COOH/ACMP nanoparticles exhibited an average particle size of (36.85±8.02) nm in an amorphous state. SEM observation indicates continuous mineral deposition on dentin collagen fibers in the PAMAM-COOH/ACMP group, while no mineral deposition in the control group and only minimal deposition in the ACMP group. TEM showed no mineral deposition inside or outside the collagen fibers in the control group, only external mineral deposition in the ACMP group, and high-density mineral deposition both inside and outside the fibers in the PAMAM-COOH/ACMP group. CLSM analysis revealed a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05) in the depth of mineralized substances entering dentin tubules between ACMP group and PAMAM-COOH/ACMP group. Conclusions:The remineralization system of 50% ethanol solution incorporating PAMAM-COOH/ACMP successfully achieved the internal and external mineralization of demineralized dentin collagen fibers.

Objective: To investigate the changes in oropharyngeal airway parameters and hyoid position in skeletal ClassⅡ adult female patients with different vertical skeletal types who were treated with maxillary anterior teeth retraction with maximum anchorage, and to provide a reference for orthodontic clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: This study was reviewed and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee, and informed consent was obtained from patients. Sixty adult female patients with skeletal ClassⅡ were selected and divided into a skeletal ClassⅡ normodivergent group and a skeletal ClassⅡ hyperdivergent group based on the patients’ mandibular plane angle. In both groups, the bilateral maxillary first premolars were extracted and the maxillary anterior teeth were retracted with maximum anchorage. Cone beam CT(CBCT) images were collected before and after treatment, and three-dimensional measurement software was used to analyze oropharyngeal airway-related parameters. Results: After retraction of the maxillary anterior teeth with maximum anchorage, the 10 parameters related to the oropharyngeal airway did not exhibit statistically significant differences in the normodivergent group (P>0.05), but the perpendicular distance from the highest point of the hyoid bone to the vertical line passing through the sella (H-X) value decreased (P<0.001). In the hyperdivergent group, the oropharyngeal area at the level of the epiglottis tip (OPA-E), anterior-posterior diameters of the oropharynx at the level of the epiglottis tip (E-AP), most constricted axial area of the oropharynx (OPA-MCA), and anterior-posterior diameters of MCA area of the oropharynx (MCA-AP) decreased after treatment (P<0.001). In addition, the oropharyngeal volume (OPV) decreased after treatment (P<0.05), and the perpendicular distance from the highest point of the hyoid bone to the horizontal line passing through the sella (H-Y) and the highest point of the hyoid bone to the epiglottis base (H-Eb) values increased after treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion After retraction of the maxillary anterior teeth with maximum anchorage, there is no change in the oropharyngeal airway in skeletal ClassⅡ normodivergent female adult patients, while skeletal ClassⅡhyperdivergent female adult patients have a risk of reduction in the oropharyngeal airway after maximuim anchorage retraction of the maxillary anterior teeth.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effect of Xiaozhi Hugan capsules in treating patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH） combined with phlegm-dampness and blood stasis syndrome and its effects on serum interleukin-6 （IL-6） and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 （MCP-1）. MethodsA total of 124 patients with NASH combined with phlegm-dampness and blood stasis syndrome who were admitted to the Department of Spleen， Stomach， and Hepatobiliary Diseases， the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from July 2020 to December 2022 were selected. According to the random number table method， patients were randomly divided into an observation group （62 cases） and a control group （62 cases）. The treatment duration was 6 months. The observation group received Xiaozhi Hugan capsules orally， while the control group received polyene phosphatidylcholine capsules. The efficacy indicators included alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， controlled attenuation parameter （CAP）， liver stiffness measurement （LSM）， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores （discomfort/dull pain/distending pain in liver region， fatigue， etc.）， body mass index （BMI）， waist-to-height ratio （WHtR）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance （HOMA-IR） ［including fasting blood glucose （FBG） and fasting insulin level （INS）］， free fatty acids （FFA）， IL-6， and MCP-1. Adverse drug reactions were recorded. ResultsAfter treatment， the total effective rate in the observation group was 92.3% （48/52）， while that in the control group was 75.5% （39/49）. The total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group （χ²=5.339， P<0.05）. After treatment， the TCM syndrome scores in both groups were significantly reduced （P<0.05）， and the post-treatment scores in the observation group were better than those in the control group （P<0.05）. After treatment， the levels of ALT， AST， TC， FFA， fasting insulin （FINS）， HOMA-IR， MCP-1， IL-6， CAP， LSM， BMI， and WHtR were decreased （P<0.05） significantly in both groups， and the observation group showed superior improvement in the above indicators compared to the control group （P<0.05）. The observation group exhibited significant reductions in TG and FBG （P<0.05） and an increase in HDL-C （P<0.05）， while no significant changes were observed in the control group. The observation group was superior to the control group after treatment （P<0.05）. No severe adverse reactions occurred in either group during the treatment. ConclusionXiaozhi Hugan capsules have significant clinical efficacy in treating patients with NASH combined with phlegm-dampness and blood stasis syndrome. It reduces hepatic steatosis， lowers liver stiffness， inhibits the expression of serum inflammatory factors， and alleviates liver inflammation. No obvious adverse reactions occur， suggesting it is suitable for clinical application.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effect of Xiaozhi Hugan capsules in treating patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH） combined with phlegm-dampness and blood stasis syndrome and its effects on serum interleukin-6 （IL-6） and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 （MCP-1）. MethodsA total of 124 patients with NASH combined with phlegm-dampness and blood stasis syndrome who were admitted to the Department of Spleen， Stomach， and Hepatobiliary Diseases， the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine from July 2020 to December 2022 were selected. According to the random number table method， patients were randomly divided into an observation group （62 cases） and a control group （62 cases）. The treatment duration was 6 months. The observation group received Xiaozhi Hugan capsules orally， while the control group received polyene phosphatidylcholine capsules. The efficacy indicators included alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， controlled attenuation parameter （CAP）， liver stiffness measurement （LSM）， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores （discomfort/dull pain/distending pain in liver region， fatigue， etc.）， body mass index （BMI）， waist-to-height ratio （WHtR）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance （HOMA-IR） ［including fasting blood glucose （FBG） and fasting insulin level （INS）］， free fatty acids （FFA）， IL-6， and MCP-1. Adverse drug reactions were recorded. ResultsAfter treatment， the total effective rate in the observation group was 92.3% （48/52）， while that in the control group was 75.5% （39/49）. The total effective rate in the observation group was higher than that in the control group （χ²=5.339， P<0.05）. After treatment， the TCM syndrome scores in both groups were significantly reduced （P<0.05）， and the post-treatment scores in the observation group were better than those in the control group （P<0.05）. After treatment， the levels of ALT， AST， TC， FFA， fasting insulin （FINS）， HOMA-IR， MCP-1， IL-6， CAP， LSM， BMI， and WHtR were decreased （P<0.05） significantly in both groups， and the observation group showed superior improvement in the above indicators compared to the control group （P<0.05）. The observation group exhibited significant reductions in TG and FBG （P<0.05） and an increase in HDL-C （P<0.05）， while no significant changes were observed in the control group. The observation group was superior to the control group after treatment （P<0.05）. No severe adverse reactions occurred in either group during the treatment. ConclusionXiaozhi Hugan capsules have significant clinical efficacy in treating patients with NASH combined with phlegm-dampness and blood stasis syndrome. It reduces hepatic steatosis， lowers liver stiffness， inhibits the expression of serum inflammatory factors， and alleviates liver inflammation. No obvious adverse reactions occur， suggesting it is suitable for clinical application.