Pancreatic cancers (PCs) is a common malignant tumor with poor prognosis in the digestive system. Its main treatment methods include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. The early diagnosis rate of hidden onset of PCs is low, and most patients have already lost the opportunity to undergo surgery when diagnosed with PCs. Chemotherapy is still the main treatment for advanced PCs, but the use of chemotherapy drugs in PCs can easily lead to drug resistance. The most significant feature that distinguishes PCs from other tumors is its rich and dense matrix, which not only hinders drug penetration but also impedes the infiltration of immune cells. The above reasons have led to a very low survival rate of PCs patients. Therefore, drug delivery systems are very important in the diagnosis and treatment of PCs. They can improve drug delivery, enhance biological barrier penetration, reduce side effects, and combine multiple treatment methods. Therefore, the treatment prospects of PCs are very broad. Currently, drug delivery systems widely applied in PCs primarily include nanodrug delivery systems, tumor microenvironment-targeted drug delivery system, immunotherapy drug delivery system, gene therapy drug delivery system, and combination therapy drug delivery system that synergize multiple therapeutic modalities. Emerging drug delivery systems (DDSs) have revolutionized PCs treatment by addressing these challenges through multiple mechanisms. Nanoformulations improve drug solubility, prolong circulation time, and reduce systemic toxicity via passive/active targeting. Smart DDSs responsive to PCs-specific stimuli enable extracellular matrix degradation, tumor-associated fibroblasts reprogramming, and vascular normalization to enhance drug accessibility. Last but not least, carrier systems loaded with myeloid-derived suppressor cell inhibitors or T cell activators can reverse immunosuppression and potentiate immunotherapy efficacy. Advanced platforms co-deliver chemotherapeutics with immunomodulators, gene-editing tools, or sonodynamic agents to achieve synergistic antitumor effects. These platforms aim to address critical challenges in PCs treatment, such as enhancing drug bioavailability, overcoming stromal barriers, reprogramming immunosuppressive niches, and achieving multi-mechanistic antitumor effects. This article provides a systematic summary and prospective analysis of the current development status, latest cutting-edge advances, opportunities, and challenges of the above-mentioned drug delivery systems in the field of PCs therapy.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the predominant form of chronic liver disease worldwide. This study was designed to investigate the proportion and characteristics of MAFLD within the general Chinese population and to identify the contributory risk factors for liver fibrosis among MAFLD individuals. METHODS: The participants were recruited from a cohort undergoing routine health evaluations at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University between May 2019 and March 2023. The diagnosis of MAFLD was based on the established clinical practice guidelines. The fibrosis-4 index score (FIB-4) was employed to evaluate hepatic fibrosis, with a FIB-4 score of ≥1.3 indicating significant fibrosis. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine risk factors associated with significant hepatic fibrosis in MAFLD. RESULTS: A total of 22,970 participants who underwent comprehensive medical examinations were included in the analysis. The overall proportion of MAFLD was 28.77% (6608/22,970), with 16.87% (1115/6608) of these patients showing significant fibrosis as assessed using FIB-4. Independent risk factors for significant liver fibrosis in MAFLD patients were male (odds ratio [OR] = 0.676, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.558-0.821), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity (OR = 2.611, 95% CI: 1.557-4.379), body mass index ≥23.00 kg/m 2 (OR = 0.632, 95% CI: 0.470-0.851), blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg (OR = 1.885, 95% CI: 1.564-2.272), and plasma glucose ≥5.6 mmol/L (OR = 1.815, 95% CI: 1.507-2.186) (all P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS The proportion of MAFLD in an urban Chinese population is 28.77%. About 16.87% of MAFLD patients presented with significant liver fibrosis. Independent risk factors for significant liver fibrosis in MAFLD patients should be noticed.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Liver Cirrhosis/pathology* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Adult ; Fatty Liver/pathology* ; Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Logistic Models ; Urban Population ; East Asian People

Periodontitis has emerged as one of the most critical oral diseases, and research on this condition holds great importance for the advancement of stomatology. As the most authoritative national scientific research funding institution in China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) has played a pivotal role in driving the progress of periodontal science by supporting research on periodontitis. This article provides a comprehensive review of the research and development progress related to periodontitis in China from 2014 to 2023, highlighting the significant contributions of the NSFC to this field. We have summarized the detailed funding information from the NSFC, including the number of applicant codes, funded programs and the distribution of funded scholars. These data illustrate the efforts of the NSFC in cultivating young scientists and building research groups to address key challenges in national scientific research. This study offers an overview of the current hot topics, recent breakthroughs and future research prospects related to periodontitis in China.
China ; Periodontitis ; Humans ; Foundations ; Research Support as Topic ; Natural Science Disciplines ; Dental Research/economics*

Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans ; Dental Cementum/injuries* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tooth Fractures/therapy*

Objective:To explore the impact of CACNA1C rs58619945 genotype on the cortical thickness of attentional networks in patients with Bipolar 1 disorder type (BD-Ⅰ). Methods:From August 2013 and August 2019, a total of 155 BD-Ⅰ patients were recruited from the outpatient and inpatient Departments of the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, along with 82 healthy controls (HC) from the community and university. Genotype for the CACNA1C rs58619945 locus was determined for all BD-I patients and HC subjects, followed by 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging scans to measure the cortical thickness in the alert, orienting, and executive control subnetworks. General linear models (GLMs) were used to evaluate the impact of CACNA1C rs58619945 on the cortical thickness of attentional networks. Concurrently, attentional dimension functions were assessed using repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status (RBANS) and Cambridge neuropsychological test automated battery rapid visual information processing (CANTAB RVP) test. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University(Ethics No. 2023-056). Results:Compared with the HC group, the BD-Ⅰ patients had shown reduced thickness in bilateral prefrontal cortex, bilateral posterior cingulate cortex, and bilateral superior temporal cortex( P<0.05). A significant interaction between the CACNA1C genotype and the cortical thickness(HC vs.BD) of right prefrontal cortex, right posterior parietal cortex and right superior temporal cortex was noted( P<0.05). Partial correlation analysis has demonstrated a significant correlation between CANTAB RVP and RBANS attention indices and cortical thickness in the right prefrontal cortex, right posterior cingulate cortex( P<0.05), and right superior temporal cortex predominantly among carriers of the BD-Ⅰ G allele. Conclusion:The G allele of CACNA1C rs58619945 is associated with cortical thickness of the right prefrontal cortex, right posterior cingulate cortex, and right superior temporal cortex in BD-Ⅰ, which are part of the alerting and orienting network.

Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) among acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023.Methods:The data of this study were collected from the ARI surveillance data from 16 provinces in China from 2009 to 2023, with a total of 28 278 ARI cases included in the study. The clinical specimens from ARI cases were screened for HRSV nucleic acid from 2009 to 2023, and differences in virus detection rates among cases of different age groups, regions, and months were analyzed.Results:A total of 28 278 ARI cases were enrolled from January 2009 to September 2023. The age of the cases ranged from<1 month to 112 years, and the age M ( Q1, Q3) was 3 years (1 year, 9 years). Among them, 3 062 cases were positive for HRSV nucleic acid, with a total detection rate of 10.83%. From 2009 to 2019, the detection rate of HRSV was 9.33%, and the virus was mainly prevalent in winter and spring. During the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the detection rate of HRSV fluctuated between 6.32% and 18.67%. There was no traditional winter epidemic peak of HRSV from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023, and an anti-seasonal epidemic of HRSV occurred from April to May 2023. About 87.95% (2 693/3 062) of positive cases were children under 5 years old, and the difference in the detection rate of HRSV among different age groups was statistically significant ( P<0.001), showing a decreasing trend of HRSV detection rate with the increase of age ( P<0.001). Among them, the HRSV detection rate (25.69%) was highest in children under 6 months. Compared with 2009-2019, the ranking of HRSV detection rates in different age groups changed from high to low between 2020 and 2023, with the age M (Q1, Q3) of HRSV positive cases increasing from 1 year (6 months, 3 years) to 2 years (11 months, 3 years). Conclusion:Through 15 years of continuous HRSV surveillance analysis, children under 5 years old, especially infants under 6 months old, are the main high-risk population for HRSV infection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence and patterns of HRSV in China have changed.

Purpose::Vibrio vulnificus ( V. Vulnificus) infection is characterized by rapid onset, aggressive progression, and challenging treatment. Bacterial resistance poses a significant challenge for clinical anti-infection treatment and is thus the subject of research. Enhancing host infection tolerance represents a novel infection prevention strategy to improve patient survival. Our team initially identified cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) as an important target owing to its negative modulation of the body's infection tolerance. This study explored the superior effects of the CYP1A1 inhibitor bergamottin compared to antibiotic combination therapy on the survival of mice infected with multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus and the protection of their vital organs. Methods::An increasing concentration gradient method was used to induce multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus development. We established a lethal infection model in C57BL/6J male mice and evaluated the effect of bergamottin on mouse survival. A mild infection model was established in C57BL/6J male mice, and the serum levels of creatinine, urea nitrogen, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to evaluate the effect of bergamottin on liver and kidney function. The morphological changes induced in the presence of bergamottin in mouse organs were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining of liver and kidney tissues. The bacterial growth curve and organ load determination were used to evaluate whether bergamottin has a direct antibacterial effect on multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus. Quantification of inflammatory factors in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the expression levels of inflammatory factors in liver and kidney tissues by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to evaluate the effect of bergamottin on inflammatory factor levels. Western blot analysis of IκBα, phosphorylated IκBα, p65, and phosphorylated p65 protein expression in liver and kidney tissues and in human hepatocellular carcinomas-2 and human kidney-2 cell lines was used to evaluate the effect of bergamottin on the nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway. One-way ANOVA and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used for statistical analysis. Results::In mice infected with multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus, bergamottin prolonged survival ( p = 0.014), reduced the serum creatinine ( p = 0.002), urea nitrogen ( p = 0.030), aspartate aminotransferase ( p = 0.029), and alanine aminotransferase ( p = 0.003) levels, and protected the cellular morphology of liver and kidney tissues. Bergamottin inhibited interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression in serum (IL-1β: p = 0.010, IL-6: p = 0.029, TNF-α: p = 0.025) and inhibited the protein expression of the inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α in liver (IL-1β: p = 0.010, IL-6: p = 0.011, TNF-α: p = 0.037) and kidney (IL-1β: p = 0.016, IL-6: p = 0.011, TNF-α: p = 0.008) tissues. Bergamottin did not affect the proliferation of multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus or the bacterial load in the mouse peritoneal lavage fluid ( p = 0.225), liver ( p = 0.186), or kidney ( p = 0.637). Conclusion::Bergamottin enhances the tolerance of mice to multidrug-resistant V. Vulnificus infection. This study can serve as a reference and guide the development of novel clinical treatment strategies for V. Vulnificus.

Objective:To evaluate the 1-year postoperative efficacy and nutritional indicators of single-anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) in obese patients.Methods:This retrospective observational study included patients with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥40.0 kg/m 2 regardless of other related metabolic diseases and patients with severe type 2 diabetes and a BMI between 27.5 and 40.0 kg/m 2. The clinical data of 66 obese patients who underwent SADI-S at the Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Department of China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University from November 2018 to May 2022 were collected, including 53 cases of da Vinci robotic surgery and 13 cases of laparoscopic surgery. The patients comprised 38 men and 28 women with a median age of 35 (18–61) years and a mean preoperative BMI of 42.93 ± 6.82 kg/m 2. A total of 38 patients had type 2 diabetes, and 46 had hyperuricemia, 45 had hypertension, 35 had hyperlipidemia, 12 had hypercholesterolemia, and 12 had a high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level. The main observation indicators were (1) intraoperative and postoperative conditions; (2) weight loss outcomes, including body weight, BMI, excess body weight loss (%EWL), and total body weight loss (%TWL) at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery; (3) effects of treatment on metabolic disease; and (4) changes in nutrient indicators. Results:(1) Intraoperative and postoperative conditions: All patients successfully underwent SADI-S with neither conversion to laparotomy nor death. Four (6.1%) patients developed postoperative complications, and all of them recovered and were discharged after conservative or surgical treatment. (2) Weight loss outcomes: %EWL at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery was 62.07 ± 26.56, 85.93 ± 27.92, and 106.65 ± 29.65, respectively, and %TWL was 22.67 ± 4.94, 32.10 ± 5.18, and 40.56 ± 7.89, respectively. Body weight and BMI 3 to 12 months after surgery were significantly lower than those before surgery (all P < 0.001). (3) Effect of treatment on metabolic disease: 3 to 12 months after surgery, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, uric acid, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, and other indicators were significantly lower than those before surgery (all P < 0.05). Twelve months after surgery, the remission rates of diabetes, hyperuricemia, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, and high LDL were 100% (38/38), 65.2% (30/46), 62.2% (28/45), 94.3% (33/35), 100% (12/12), and 100% (12/12), respectively. (4) Changes in nutrient indicators: Compared with the preoperative nutrient levels, the hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were lower at 3 to 12 months after surgery, the total protein level was lower at 6 to 12 months after surgery, the albumin level was lower at 6 months after surgery, and the ferritin level was lower at 3 months after surgery. The differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The incidence of anemia was 6.1% (4/66), hypoalbuminemia was 4.5% (3/66), and ferritin deficiency was 4.5% (3/66), all of which were improved or normalized through conservative treatment. Twelve months after surgery, 30 (45.5%) patients had vitamin A deficiency, 17 (25.8%) had vitamin E deficiency, 11 (16.7%) had folic acid deficiency, 2 had potassium deficiency (3.0%), 3 (4.5%) had calcium deficiency, 2 (3.0%) had magnesium deficiency, 9 (13.6%) had iron deficiency, and 16 (24.2%) had zinc deficiency. However, no relevant clinical symptoms occurred. Conclusions:SADI-S has a very significant effect on weight loss and alleviation of metabolic diseases. Nutrient deficiencies after SADI-S mainly involve vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc, and folic acid. The long-term efficacy and safety of SADI-S still need further follow-up observation.

Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) among acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases in 16 provinces of China from 2009 to 2023.Methods:The data of this study were collected from the ARI surveillance data from 16 provinces in China from 2009 to 2023, with a total of 28 278 ARI cases included in the study. The clinical specimens from ARI cases were screened for HRSV nucleic acid from 2009 to 2023, and differences in virus detection rates among cases of different age groups, regions, and months were analyzed.Results:A total of 28 278 ARI cases were enrolled from January 2009 to September 2023. The age of the cases ranged from<1 month to 112 years, and the age M ( Q1, Q3) was 3 years (1 year, 9 years). Among them, 3 062 cases were positive for HRSV nucleic acid, with a total detection rate of 10.83%. From 2009 to 2019, the detection rate of HRSV was 9.33%, and the virus was mainly prevalent in winter and spring. During the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the detection rate of HRSV fluctuated between 6.32% and 18.67%. There was no traditional winter epidemic peak of HRSV from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023, and an anti-seasonal epidemic of HRSV occurred from April to May 2023. About 87.95% (2 693/3 062) of positive cases were children under 5 years old, and the difference in the detection rate of HRSV among different age groups was statistically significant ( P<0.001), showing a decreasing trend of HRSV detection rate with the increase of age ( P<0.001). Among them, the HRSV detection rate (25.69%) was highest in children under 6 months. Compared with 2009-2019, the ranking of HRSV detection rates in different age groups changed from high to low between 2020 and 2023, with the age M (Q1, Q3) of HRSV positive cases increasing from 1 year (6 months, 3 years) to 2 years (11 months, 3 years). Conclusion:Through 15 years of continuous HRSV surveillance analysis, children under 5 years old, especially infants under 6 months old, are the main high-risk population for HRSV infection. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence and patterns of HRSV in China have changed.