Emodin is a hydroxyanthraquinone compound that is widely distributed and has multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective effects. Research indicates that emodin may be one of the main components responsible for inducing hepatotoxicity. However, studies on the mechanisms of liver injury are relatively limited, particularly those related to bile acids(BAs) metabolism. This study aims to systematically investigate the effects of different dosages of emodin on BAs metabolism, providing a basis for the safe clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)containing emodin. First, this study evaluated the safety of repeated administration of different dosages of emodin over a 5-week period, with a particular focus on its impact on the liver. Next, the composition and content of BAs in serum and liver were analyzed. Subsequently, qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of nuclear receptors and transporters related to BAs metabolism. The results showed that 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin induced hepatic damage, with bile duct hyperplasia as the primary pathological manifestation. It significantly increased the levels of various BAs in the serum and primary BAs(including taurine-conjugated and free BAs) in the liver. Additionally, it downregulated the mRNA expression of farnesoid X receptor(FXR), retinoid X receptor(RXR), and sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide(NTCP), and upregulated the mRNA expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase(CYP7A1) in the liver. Although 0.01 g·kg~(-1) and 0.03 g·kg~(-1) emodin did not induce obvious liver injury, they significantly increased the level of taurine-conjugated BAs in the liver, suggesting a potential interference with BAs homeostasis. In conclusion, 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin may promote the production of primary BAs in the liver by affecting the FXR-RXR-CYP7A1 pathway, inhibit NTCP expression, and reduce BA reabsorption in the liver, resulting in BA accumulation in the peripheral blood. This disruption of BA homeostasis leads to liver injury. Even doses of emodin close to the clinical dose can also have a certain effect on the homeostasis of BAs. Therefore, when using traditional Chinese medicine or formulas containing emodin in clinical practice, it is necessary to regularly monitor liver function indicators and closely monitor the risk of drug-induced liver injury.
Emodin/administration & dosage* ; Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism* ; Animals ; Male ; Liver/injuries* ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Mice ; Rats

BACKGROUND: Early control of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is crucial for reducing the progress of cardiovascular disease. However, its additional role to the risk of primary osteoporosis in men with coronary heart disease was inconclusive. Our study aims to determine the association of LDL-C and its trajectories for osteoporosis risk in the middle-aged and aged men of China. METHODS: The retrospective cohort study of 1546 men aged 69.74 ± 11.30 years conducted in Beijing, China from 2015 to 2022. And the incidence of primary osteoporosis was annually recorded. LDL-C trajectories were further identified by latent class growth model using repeated measurements of LDL-C. The association of baseline LDL-C for osteoporosis was estimated using hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI in Cox proportional hazard model, while mean level and trajectories of LDL-C for osteoporosis were evaluated using odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI in logistic regression model. RESULTS: During the median 6.2-year follow-up period, 70 men developed primary osteoporosis. The higher level of baseline LDL-C (HR = 1.539, 95% CI: 1.012-2.342) and mean LDL-C (OR = 2.190, 95% CI: 1.443-3.324) were associated with higher risk of osteoporosis in men with coronary heart disease after adjusted for covariates. Compared with those in the LDL-C trajectory of low-stable decrease, participants with medium-fluctuant trajectory, whose longitudinal LDL-C started with a medium LDL-C level and appeared an increase and then decrease, were negatively associated with osteoporosis risk (OR = 2.451, 95% CI: 1.152-5.216). And participants with initially high LDL-C level and then a rapid decrease demonstrated a tendency towards reduced risk (OR = 0.718, 95% CI: 0.212-2.437). CONCLUSIONS Elevated LDL-C level and its long-term fluctuation may increase the risk of primary osteoporosis in men. Early controlling a stable level of LDL-C is also essential for bone health.

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*

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*

Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal condition characterized by reduced bone mass and strength, leading to increased fragility. Buqi-Tongluo (BQTL) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has yet to be fully evaluated for its potential in treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis. To investigate the mechanism by which BQTL decoction inhibits osteoclast differentiation in vitro and validate these findings through in vivo experiments. We employed MTS assays to assess the potential proliferative or toxic effects of BQTL on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) at various concentrations. TRAcP experiments were conducted to examine BQTL's impact on osteoclast differentiation. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were utilized to evaluate the relative expression levels of osteoclast-specific genes and proteins under BQTL stimulation. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed using an osteoporosis model to further validate the in vitro findings. This study revealed that BQTL suppressed receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast resorption activity in vitro in a dose-dependent manner without observable cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effects of BQTL on osteoclast formation and function were attributed to the downregulation of NFATc1 and c-fos activity, primarily through attenuation of the MAPK, NF-κB, and Calcineurin signaling pathways. BQTL's inhibitory capacity was further examined in vivo using an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model, demonstrating a strong protective effect against bone loss. BQTL may serve as an effective therapeutic TCM for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and the alleviation of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency and related conditions.
Animals ; NFATC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ovariectomy ; Osteoclasts/metabolism* ; Female ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Osteoporosis/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Bone Resorption/genetics* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Humans ; RANK Ligand/metabolism* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Transcription Factors

BACKGROUND:Several studies have found that the total flavonoids of rhizome drynariae can promote neovascularization in the induced membrane,improve the biological properties of the induced membrane,and accelerate bone remodeling in the induced membrane,but the related molecular mechanisms still need to be further explored. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of total flavonoids of rhizome drynariae on bone remodeling in rat femoral Masquelet-induced membrane model by regulating H-type blood vessels. METHODS:Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were stratified by body mass and then randomly divided into blank group,model group and traditional Chinese medicine group,with 12 rats in each group.A 4-mm femoral bone defect model was established in all the rats.Bone defects in the model group and traditional Chinese medicine group were filled with polymethylmethacrylate bone cement.At 6 weeks after modeling,the tail bone of the rats was implanted in the blank group,as well as in the other two groups after removal of bone cement.The traditional Chinese medicine group was given 157.5 mg/kg per day of total flavonoids of rhizome drynariae at 3 days after bone implantation,while the model and blank groups were given the same amount of saline by gavage until the 8th week after bone implantation.Bone graft samples were taken for relevant testing at 8 weeks after implantation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:X-ray films showed that in the blank group,the fracture line in the defect area was clear,and only a small amount of bone callus formed;in the model group,the bone defect area still existed,where discontinuous cortical bone was visible;in the traditional Chinese medicine group,the defect area was filled with newborn bone tissues,the bone marrow cavity and part of the cortical bone formed,and the fracture line disappeared.Micro-CT scans showed that the amount of new bone in the defect area was low in the blank group,the number of bone trabeculae in the defect area was significantly increased in the model group,and a large amount of new bone tissue was filled in the bone defect area in the traditional Chinese medicine group.Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed that in the blank group,only a small amount of new bone formed in the defect area and the quality of osteogenesis was poor;in the model group,there was more new bone tissue in the defect area,but some fibrous connective tissues were interspersed within the bone tissue;and in the traditional Chinese medicine group,a large amount of new bone formed in the defect area and the quality of osteogenesis was the best.CD31/Emcn immunofluorescence double-labeling staining results showed that the number of H-type blood vessels in the newborn bone tissue in the bone defect area of the blank group was sparse and sparsely distributed;compared with the blank group,there were more H-type blood vessels in the bone tissue in the bone defect area of the model group,and the blood vessels were distributed in relatively regular strips;the number of H-type blood vessels in the bone defect area of the traditional Chinese medicine group was the highest and the blood vessels were densely distributed.To conclude,the total flavonoids of rhizoma drynariae can upregulate the expression of H-type blood vessels to enhance the angiogenic-osteogenic effect,improve the osteogenic efficiency of the rat femoral Masquelet induced membrane model,and promote bone remodeling.

Objective:To compare the differences of actual absorbed doses of liver malignant tumors after 90Y-selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) evaluated by 90Y PET/CT and 90Y bremsstrahlung (BRS) SPECT/CT imaging, and to compare the image quality of the 2 imaging methods. Methods:Twenty-one patients (15 males and 6 females; age: (52.4±15.4) years) with liver malignant tumors (15 cases of primary liver cancer, 6 cases of liver metastases; 39 lesions) between September 2021 and August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent both 90Y PET/CT imaging and 90Y BRS SPECT/CT imaging in the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hainan Cancer Hospital. The ratios of the actual absorbed doses based on 90Y PET/CT imaging and 90Y BRS SPECT/CT imaging to the lowest standard absorbed dose(100 Gy) for tumor response were calculated. The image contrast and distinguishability of the two imaging methods were scored. Wilcoxon signed rank test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for data analysis. Results:The tumor absorbed doses evaluated by 90Y PET/CT and 90Y BRS SPECT/CT were 143.94(55.91, 233.48) Gy and 107.82(53.59, 157.53) Gy respectively. The doses evaluated by 90Y PET/CT were higher than the standard threshold in 24 lesions, while 19 lesions showed higher evaluated doses by 90Y BRS SPECT/CT than the standard threshold. Compared with 90Y PET/CT, 90Y BRS SPECT/CT underestimated the tumor absorbed dose of -24.25%(-32.32%, -12.14%). The ratio of dose evaluated by 90Y PET/CT to the lowest standard threshold was 1.33(0.56, 1.91), which was higher than that of dose evaluated by 90Y BRS SPECT/CT to the lowest standard threshold (0.97(0.47, 1.25); z=0.04, P<0.001). PET/CT image contrast was scored 0, 1, 2, 3 in 2, 2, 12, 23 lesions respectively, and SPECT/CT image contrast was scored 0, 1, 2, 3 in 2, 3, 16, 18 lesions respectively ( z=-1.29, P=0.199). The distinguishability scores of 0, 1, 2 based on PET/CT images were found in 3, 15, 21 lesions, while those based on SPECT/CT images were found in 4, 32, 3 lesions respectively ( z=-2.79, P=0.005). Conclusion:90Y PET/CT imaging is superior to 90Y BRS SPECT/CT imaging in radiation dose evaluation and tumor focus differentiation in patients with liver malignant tumors after 90Y-SIRT.

Objective:To evaluate the viability and clinical effect of polyfoliate anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTPF) in reconstruction of large soft tissue defect around ankle.Methods:From June 2019 to October 2022, large soft tissue defects around ankle of 11 patients were reconstructed with ALTPF in the Department of Orthopaedics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. The causes of injury were traffic accident in 8 patients and heavy objects in 3 patients. All wounds were large defects (15.0 cm×14.0 cm-30.0 cm×20.0 cm) and combined with various degrees of infection. Intraoperatively, polyfoliate ALTPFs sized 16.0 cm×14.5 cm-23.0 cm×18.5 cm were used in reconstruction of the defects. Deep dead spaces were filled with antibiotic bone cement, and direct suture was performed to close the donor sites or by skin grafting repair. Postoperative follow-ups were scheduled at 1, 3 and 6 months, and 6 monthly thereafter at outpatient clinics and via telephone interviews. The appearance and colour of the flaps and healing of donor sites were recorded together with evaluation of the recovery of ankle motor function according to the ankle-hindfoot rating scale of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS).Results:All flaps survived. No haematoma or secondary infection occurred at the recipient site after surgery. All donor sites healed primarily. One patient had venous occlusion at the distal end of the polyfoliate ALTPF. The flap survived completely at 1 week after distal venous bloodletting. Postoperative follow-ups lasted 6-24 (15.27±5.21) months. All flaps had good blood supply with satisfactory appearance, similar colour and texture to the recipient sites, and without obvious bloat nor ulceration. Only a linear scar or few skin graft scar was left at the flap donor sites in concealed locations. The mean AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score was (88.36±10.21) point. There were 6 cases of excellent, 4 cases of good, and 1 case of fair.Conclusion:A polyfoliate ALTPF is an ideal flap for reconstruction of soft tissue defects around ankle by converting the length of a flap to the width.

Endodontic diseases are a kind of chronic infectious oral disease.Common endodontic treatment concepts are based on the removal of inflamed or necrotic pulp tissue and the replacement by gutta-percha.However,it is very essential for endodontic treatment to debride the root canal system and prevent the root canal system from bacterial reinfection after root canal therapy(RCT).Recent research,encompassing bacterial etiology and advanced imaging techniques,contributes to our understanding of the root canal system's anatomy intricacies and the technique sensitivity of RCT.Success in RCT hinges on factors like patients,infection severity,root canal anatomy,and treatment techniques.Therefore,improving disease management is a key issue to combat endodontic diseases and cure periapical lesions.The clinical difficulty assessment system of RCT is established based on patient conditions,tooth conditions,root canal configuration,and root canal needing retreatment,and emphasizes pre-treatment risk assessment for optimal outcomes.The findings suggest that the presence of risk factors may correlate with the challenge of achieving the high standard required for RCT.These insights contribute not only to improve education but also aid practitioners in treatment planning and referral decision-making within the field of endodontics.