Keratoconus is an adolescent-onset blinding eye disease characterized by the protrusion and thinning of the central or paracentral cornea. The cause of keratoconus remains unclear, though its onset and progression arise from a multifactorial interplay involving a polygenic background, environmental exposures, and biomechanical decompensation. Recent studies have demonstrated significant gender differences in the pathogenesis and progression of keratoconus.At the epidemiological level, most studies suggest that the disease shows a male predominance; in terms of clinical features, male patients tend to experience an earlier onset and present with more severe clinical phenotypes, such as more serious corneal morphological deterioration; at the pathological mechanism level, sex hormone expression differences and genetic susceptibility differences play a key role in disease progression; this difference further affects the formulation of clinical prevention and treatment strategies, such as early warning screening for high-risk male groups and individualized corneal cross-linking intervention timing. This article reviews gender differences in keratoconus from the perspectives of epidemiology, clinical characteristics, prevention and treatment, and pathological mechanisms, providing relevant references and insights for future clinical practice.

Enamel demineralization, the formation of white spot lesions, is a common issue in clinical orthodontic treatment. The appearance of white spot lesions not only affects the texture and health of dental hard tissues but also impacts the health and aesthetics of teeth after orthodontic treatment. The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of white spot lesions that occur throughout the orthodontic treatment process involve multiple dental specialties. This expert consensus will focus on providing guiding opinions on the management and prevention of white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment, advocating for proactive prevention, early detection, timely treatment, scientific follow-up, and multidisciplinary management of white spot lesions throughout the orthodontic process, thereby maintaining the dental health of patients during orthodontic treatment.
Humans ; Consensus ; Dental Caries/etiology* ; Dental Enamel/pathology* ; Tooth Demineralization/etiology* ; Tooth Remineralization

The prevalence of Class III malocclusion varies among different countries and regions. The populations from Southeast Asian countries (Chinese and Malaysian) showed the highest prevalence rate of 15.8%, which can seriously affect oral function, facial appearance, and mental health. As anterior crossbite tends to worsen with growth, early orthodontic treatment can harness growth potential to normalize maxillofacial development or reduce skeletal malformation severity, thereby reducing the difficulty and shortening the treatment cycle of later-stage treatment. This is beneficial for the physical and mental growth of children. Therefore, early orthodontic treatment for Class III malocclusion is particularly important. Determining the optimal timing for early orthodontic treatment requires a comprehensive assessment of clinical manifestations, dental age, and skeletal age, and can lead to better results with less effort. Currently, standardized treatment guidelines for early orthodontic treatment of Class III malocclusion are lacking. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the etiology, clinical manifestations, classification, and early orthodontic techniques for Class III malocclusion, along with systematic discussions on selecting early treatment plans. The purpose of this expert consensus is to standardize clinical practices and improve the treatment outcomes of Class III malocclusion through early orthodontic treatment.
Humans ; Malocclusion, Angle Class III/classification* ; Orthodontics, Corrective/methods* ; Consensus ; Child

Objective:To evaluate the predictive value of the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion to systolic pulmonary artery pressure ratio(TAPSE/sPAP) in identifying precapillary pulmonary hypertension(pcPH) patients requiring repeat balloon pulmonary angioplasty(BPA) within 3 months after initial intervention, and to determine independent risk factors associated with postoperative reintervention.Methods:We retrospectively collected clinical data from 215 consecutive patients with pcPH undergoing BPA. After applying exclusion criteria, 200 patients were ultimately included in the analysis. The predictive value of the TAPSE/sPAP for short-term BPA reintervention was assessed using receiver operating characteristic( ROC) curve analysis and multivariable logistic regression. Internal validation was performed through bootstrap resampling with 1 000 iterations to evaluate model stability. Results:A risk model for echocardiography was constructed using multiple logistic regression, and the results showed that systolic pulmonary artery pressure(sPAP), peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity(TRV), tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient(PGTR), and TAPSE/sPAP ratio were predictive factors for BPA surgery in patients with pulmonary hypertension within 3 months. Multivariate regression analysis suggests that the TAPSE/sPAP ratio is an independent influencing factor for BPA after 3 months( OR=0.023, P<0.05). The predicted area under the ROC curve( AUC) for BPA after 3 months is 0.62(95% CI: 0.530-0.648), P<0.01, which is better than other cardiac ultrasound indicators. At the same time, internal bootstrap method was used for internal self-validation, and the AUC of the internal self-validation set was 0.67. Conclusion:The TAPSE/sPAP ratio serves as an independent predictor for requiring repeat BPA within 3 months postoperatively in patients with pcPH.

Objective:To assess the efficacy and safety of Gongxuening Capsules in reducing post-abortion bleeding following artificial abortion.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, double-blind study was conducted. From May 31, 2022 to March 31, 2023, 484 women who underwent vacuum aspiration abortion for early intrauterine pregnancy were enrolled in 11 centers and randomly assigned to control group and the study group at a 1∶1 ratio using a center-block randomization method. Control group were administered a placebo of Gongxuening Capsules for 9 d, while the study group received the actual Gongxuening Capsules for the same duration. The outcomes measured included vaginal bleeding volume, duration of vaginal bleeding, endometrial thickness, time to menstrual recovery, and complications.Results:1) A total of 484 subjects were enrolled, and 472 completed the study. Totally 450 subjects were included in the efficacy analysis set, with 224 in control group and 226 in the study group; 468 subjects were included in the safety analysis set, with 236 in control group and 232 in the study group. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were comparable (all P>0.05). 2) The vaginal bleeding volume was lower in the study group [(13.30±12.14) mL] than in control group [(19.00±17.67) mL, P<0.001]. The proportion of subjects in the study group with bleeding days less than 4 d [29.65% (67/226)] was higher than that in control group [19.20% (43/224), P=0.010]. 3) No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of time to menstrual recovery and endometrial thickness (all P>0.05). 4) In the study group, 3 subjects experienced non-therapeutic-related complications, while 11 subjects in control group. The incidence of complications was lower in the study group [1.29% (3/232)] than in control group [4.66% (11/236), P=0.033]. Conclusion:The administration of Gongxuening Capsules to women following artificial abortion significantly reduced vaginal bleeding volume and was associated with good safety, with the treatment being well-tolerated by the subjects.

Objective:To assess the efficacy and safety of Gongxuening Capsules in reducing post-abortion bleeding following artificial abortion.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, double-blind study was conducted. From May 31, 2022 to March 31, 2023, 484 women who underwent vacuum aspiration abortion for early intrauterine pregnancy were enrolled in 11 centers and randomly assigned to control group and the study group at a 1∶1 ratio using a center-block randomization method. Control group were administered a placebo of Gongxuening Capsules for 9 d, while the study group received the actual Gongxuening Capsules for the same duration. The outcomes measured included vaginal bleeding volume, duration of vaginal bleeding, endometrial thickness, time to menstrual recovery, and complications.Results:1) A total of 484 subjects were enrolled, and 472 completed the study. Totally 450 subjects were included in the efficacy analysis set, with 224 in control group and 226 in the study group; 468 subjects were included in the safety analysis set, with 236 in control group and 232 in the study group. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were comparable (all P>0.05). 2) The vaginal bleeding volume was lower in the study group [(13.30±12.14) mL] than in control group [(19.00±17.67) mL, P<0.001]. The proportion of subjects in the study group with bleeding days less than 4 d [29.65% (67/226)] was higher than that in control group [19.20% (43/224), P=0.010]. 3) No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of time to menstrual recovery and endometrial thickness (all P>0.05). 4) In the study group, 3 subjects experienced non-therapeutic-related complications, while 11 subjects in control group. The incidence of complications was lower in the study group [1.29% (3/232)] than in control group [4.66% (11/236), P=0.033]. Conclusion:The administration of Gongxuening Capsules to women following artificial abortion significantly reduced vaginal bleeding volume and was associated with good safety, with the treatment being well-tolerated by the subjects.

Objective:To evaluate the predictive value of the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion to systolic pulmonary artery pressure ratio(TAPSE/sPAP) in identifying precapillary pulmonary hypertension(pcPH) patients requiring repeat balloon pulmonary angioplasty(BPA) within 3 months after initial intervention, and to determine independent risk factors associated with postoperative reintervention.Methods:We retrospectively collected clinical data from 215 consecutive patients with pcPH undergoing BPA. After applying exclusion criteria, 200 patients were ultimately included in the analysis. The predictive value of the TAPSE/sPAP for short-term BPA reintervention was assessed using receiver operating characteristic( ROC) curve analysis and multivariable logistic regression. Internal validation was performed through bootstrap resampling with 1 000 iterations to evaluate model stability. Results:A risk model for echocardiography was constructed using multiple logistic regression, and the results showed that systolic pulmonary artery pressure(sPAP), peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity(TRV), tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient(PGTR), and TAPSE/sPAP ratio were predictive factors for BPA surgery in patients with pulmonary hypertension within 3 months. Multivariate regression analysis suggests that the TAPSE/sPAP ratio is an independent influencing factor for BPA after 3 months( OR=0.023, P<0.05). The predicted area under the ROC curve( AUC) for BPA after 3 months is 0.62(95% CI: 0.530-0.648), P<0.01, which is better than other cardiac ultrasound indicators. At the same time, internal bootstrap method was used for internal self-validation, and the AUC of the internal self-validation set was 0.67. Conclusion:The TAPSE/sPAP ratio serves as an independent predictor for requiring repeat BPA within 3 months postoperatively in patients with pcPH.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of self-crosslinked hyaluronic acid (SCH) gel on endometrium recovery after artificial abortion.Methods:A multicenter, prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted across 18 hospitals from December 2021 to February 2023, involving 382 women who underwent artificial abortion. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either treatment with SCH gel (SCH group) or no treatment (control group) in a 1∶1 ratio. The primary outcome was endometrium thickness in 14 to 18 days after the first postoperative menstruation. Secondary outcomes included changes in menstrual volume during the first postoperative menstruation, menstruation resumption within 6 postoperative weeks, time to menstruation resumption, duration of the first postoperative menstruation, and incidence of dysmenorrhea.Results:Baseline characteristics of participants were comparable between the two groups (all P>0.05), with 95.3% (182/191) in SCH group and 92.7% (177/191) in the control group completed the study. The postoperative endometrial thickness in SCH group was significantly greater than that in the control group [(9.78±3.15) vs (8.95±2.32) mm; P=0.005]. SCH group also had significantly fewer participants with reduced menstrual volume [23 cases (12.6%, 23/182) vs 31 cases (17.5%, 31/177); P=0.038]. Although SCH group experienced less dysmenorrhea during the first postoperative menstrual period, this difference was not statistically significant [28.5% (51/179) vs 37.1% (65/175); P=0.083]. Outcomes were similar between SCH group and the control group regarding the proportion of participants who resumed menstruation within 6 weeks postoperatively, time to menstruation resumption, and duration of the first postoperative menstruation ( P=0.792, 0.485, and 0.254, respectively). No serious adverse events were observed during the study period, and no adverse events were attributed to SCH gel treatment. Conclusion:The application of SCH gel after artificial abortion is safe and might aid in the recovery of the endometrium.

OBJECTIVE To explore the renal protective mechanism of Shenbining granules on IgA nephropathy(IgAN)rats based on mitochondrial quality control system.METHODS IgAN rat model was established by the method of"bovine serum albumin+carbon tetrachloride+lipopolysaccharide".The model rats were randomly divided into model group,prednisone acetate group(6.25 mg/kg),Shenbining equal-dose group(4.1 g/kg)and Shenbining high-dose group(20.5 g/kg).The normal rats were taken as the normal control group,with 12 rats in each group.Rats were given corresponding drugs or distilled water intragastrically in each group,once a day,for 4 consecutive weeks.After the last medication,the 24 h total urinary protein(24 h-UTP)and erythrocyte count in urine were determined,and the levels of serum creatinine(Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),albumin(ALB)and alanine transaminase(ALT)were also detected.The histopathological changes in the kidneys and changes in IgA deposition in the mesangial area of the kidney were observed.mRNA and protein expression levels of PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(PINK1),E3 ubiquitin ligase(Parkin),microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain-3(LC3),dynamin-related protein 1(Drp1)and mitofusin 2(Mfn2)were detected in the kidney tissues of rats.RESULTS Compared with model group,24 h-UTP,urinary erythrocyte count,ALT,BUN and Scr levels,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ mRNA ratio,mRNA and protein expressions of Drp1 were reduced significantly in prednisone acetate group,Shenbining equal-dose group and Shenbining high-dose group(P＜0.05);ALB level,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰprotein ratio,mRNA and protein expressions of PINK1,Parkin and Mfn2 were increased significantly(P＜0.05);the pathological morphology of kidney tissue in rats was significantly improved,and IgA deposition was significantly reduced.CONCLUSIONS Shenbining granule may reduce renal pathological injury in IgAN rats and protect renal function by activating the PINK1/Parkin pathway,enhancing mitochondrial autophagy,and correcting mitochondrial kinetic disorders.

OBJECTIVE To study the nephrotoxicity of the extracts from different parts o f Miao medicine Wikstroemia indica in healthy rats ，and to provide reference for the study of its toxicity mechanism and clinical drug use. METHODS Using 70％ ethanol as solvent ，total ethanol extract of W. indica was extracted with diacolation method. After dispersing the above extract with water，the fractions of corresponding fractions were obtained with petroleum ether ，ethyl acetate and n-butanol，and the rest was the extract of water fraction. SD rats were randomly divided into total ethanol extract group ，petroleum ether fraction group ，ethyl acetate fraction group ，n-butanol fraction group ，water fraction group and blank group ，with 12 rats in each group （half male and half female ）. The rats in the administration groups were given the corresponding dose of drug solution intragastrically （total ethanol extract 317.520 mg/kg，petroleum ether fraction 7.875 mg/kg，ethyl acetate fraction 78.435 mg/kg，n-butanol fraction 53.865 mg/kg and water fraction 76.545 mg/kg），once a day ，for conse- cutive 2 weeks，and then stopped taking drug for 2 weeks； rats in the blank group were given equal volume of 1.0％ . sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution intragastrically. Duringthe experiment ，the general conditions of rats were observed. The samples of urine （on the 14th and 28th day ），serum and bilateral renal tissues （on the 15th and 29th day ）were taken respectively，the renal index was calculated ，the levels of @qq.com renal function indexes in serum and urine were detected ，and the pathomorphological changes of renal tissues were observed. RESULTS During administration ，compared with blank group ，the rats in the total ethanol extract group and ethyl acetate fraction group showed poisoning behavior and activity characteristics such as mental depression ，decreased activity and diet ，thin stool and decreased body mass. The mental state of the rats in the petroleum ether fraction group ，n-butanol fraction group and water fraction group were slightly worse than that in blank group，and slightly decreased activity and diet as well as thin stool ，and slowly increased body mass were found ；however，there was no significant difference in anal temperature in each group. After 2 weeks of administration ，the renal index in total ethanol extract group ，the serum levels of N-acetylglucosaminidase（NAG），urea nitrogen （BUN）and creatinine （Cr）in total ethanol extract group and ethyl acetate fraction group ，serum level of NAG in n-butanol fraction group and serum level of Cr in water fraction group ，as while as NAG levels in urine of rats in total ethanol extract group and petroleum ether fraction group ，NAG and urinary protein levels in urine of rats in ethyl acetate fraction group were increased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. In the pathomorphological observation ，renal tubules showed different degrees of unclear structure ，cell swelling and a few cell necrosis in the total ethanol extract group ，petroleum ether fraction group and ethyl acetate fraction group ，accompanying by glomerular pyknosis，renal tubular sclerosis and inflammatory cell infiltration ，compared with blank group. After drug withdrawal ，the mental state of rats in the administration groups were significantly improved ，the amount of activity and diet increased ，and the stool tended to be normal. Two weeks after drug withdrawal and recovery ，the levels of above indexes in serum and urine of rats in administration groups returned to be close to that in blank group （P＞0.05）；the glomerular structure of rats in each administration group gradually recovered clearly ，and cell swelling and inflammatory cell infiltration were rare in total ethanol extract group ， petroleum ether fraction group and ethyl acetate fraction group. CONCLUSIONS The total ethanol extract ，petroleum ether fraction and ethyl acetate fraction of Miao medicine W. indica have certain nephrotoxicity and reversibility. The toxic component may