Organoid-on-a-chip technology represents a promising interdisciplinary advancement that merges two cutting-edge biomedical platforms: stem cell-derived organoids and microfluidics-based organ-on-a-chip systems. Organoids are self-organizing three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures that mimic the key structural and functional features of in vivo organs. However, traditional organoid culture systems are often static, lacking dynamic environmental cues and suffering from limitations such as batch-to-batch variability, low stability, and low throughput. Organ-on-a-chip platforms, by contrast, utilize microfluidic technologies to simulate the dynamic physiological microenvironment of human tissues and organs, enabling more controlled cell growth and differentiation. By integrating the advantages of organoids and organ-on-a-chip technologies, organoid-on-a-chip systems transcend the limitations of conventional 3D culture models, offering a more physiologically relevant and controllable in vitro platform. In organoid-on-a-chip systems, stem cells or pre-formed organoids are cultured in micro-engineered environments that mimic in vivo conditions, enabling precise control over fluid flow, mechanical forces, and biochemical cues. Specifically, these platforms employ advanced strategies including bio-inspired 3D scaffolds for structural support, precise spatial cell patterning via 3D bioprinting, and integrated biosensors for real-time monitoring of metabolic activities. These synergistic elements recreate complex extracellular matrix signals and ensure high structural fidelity. Based on structural complexity, organoid-on-a-chip systems are classified into single-organoid and multi-organoid types, forming a trajectory from unit biomimicry to systemic simulation. Single-organoid chips focus on highly biomimetic units by integrating vascular, immune, or neural functions. Multi-organoid chips simulate inter-organ crosstalk and systemic homeostasis, advancing complex disease modeling and PK/PD evaluation. This emerging technology has demonstrated broad application potential in multiple fields of biomedicine. Organoid-on-a-chip systems can recapitulate organ developmentin vitro, facilitating research in developmental biology. They mimic organ-specific physiological activities and mechanisms, showing promising applications in regenerative medicine for tissue repair or replacement. In disease modeling, they support the reconstruction of models for neurodegenerative, inflammatory, infectious, metabolic diseases, and cancers. These platforms also enable in vitro drug testing and pharmacokinetic studies (ADME). Patient-derived chips preserve genetic and pathological features, offering potential for precision medicine. Additionally, they reduce species differences in toxicology, providing human-relevant data for environmental, food, cosmetic, and drug safety assessments. Despite progress, organoid-on-a-chip systems face challenges in dynamic simulation, extracellular matrix (ECM) variability, and limited real-time 3D imaging, requiring improved materials and the integration of developmental signals. Current bottlenecks also include the high technical threshold for automation and the lack of standardized validation frameworks for regulatory adoption. Meanwhile, the concept of a “human-on-a-chip” has been proposed to mimic whole-body physiology by integrating multiple organoid modules. This approach enables systemic modeling of drug responses and toxicity, with the potential to reduce animal testing and revolutionize drug development. Future advancements in bio-responsive hydrogels and flexible biosensors will further empower these platforms to bridge the gap between bench-side research and personalized clinical interventions. In conclusion, organoid-on-a-chip technology offers a transformative in vitro model that closely recapitulates the complexity of human tissues and organ systems. It provides an unprecedented platform for advancing biomedical research, clinical translation, and pharmaceutical innovation. Continued development in biomaterials, microengineering, and analytical technologies will be essential to unlocking the full potential of this powerful tool.

Organoid-on-a-chip technology represents a promising interdisciplinary advancement that merges two cutting-edge biomedical platforms: stem cell-derived organoids and microfluidics-based organ-on-a-chip systems. Organoids are self-organizing three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures that mimic the key structural and functional features of in vivo organs. However, traditional organoid culture systems are often static, lacking dynamic environmental cues and suffering from limitations such as batch-to-batch variability, low stability, and low throughput. Organ-on-a-chip platforms, by contrast, utilize microfluidic technologies to simulate the dynamic physiological microenvironment of human tissues and organs, enabling more controlled cell growth and differentiation. By integrating the advantages of organoids and organ-on-a-chip technologies, organoid-on-a-chip systems transcend the limitations of conventional 3D culture models, offering a more physiologically relevant and controllable in vitro platform. In organoid-on-a-chip systems, stem cells or pre-formed organoids are cultured in micro-engineered environments that mimic in vivo conditions, enabling precise control over fluid flow, mechanical forces, and biochemical cues. Specifically, these platforms employ advanced strategies including bio-inspired 3D scaffolds for structural support, precise spatial cell patterning via 3D bioprinting, and integrated biosensors for real-time monitoring of metabolic activities. These synergistic elements recreate complex extracellular matrix signals and ensure high structural fidelity. Based on structural complexity, organoid-on-a-chip systems are classified into single-organoid and multi-organoid types, forming a trajectory from unit biomimicry to systemic simulation. Single-organoid chips focus on highly biomimetic units by integrating vascular, immune, or neural functions. Multi-organoid chips simulate inter-organ crosstalk and systemic homeostasis, advancing complex disease modeling and PK/PD evaluation. This emerging technology has demonstrated broad application potential in multiple fields of biomedicine. Organoid-on-a-chip systems can recapitulate organ developmentin vitro, facilitating research in developmental biology. They mimic organ-specific physiological activities and mechanisms, showing promising applications in regenerative medicine for tissue repair or replacement. In disease modeling, they support the reconstruction of models for neurodegenerative, inflammatory, infectious, metabolic diseases, and cancers. These platforms also enable in vitro drug testing and pharmacokinetic studies (ADME). Patient-derived chips preserve genetic and pathological features, offering potential for precision medicine. Additionally, they reduce species differences in toxicology, providing human-relevant data for environmental, food, cosmetic, and drug safety assessments. Despite progress, organoid-on-a-chip systems face challenges in dynamic simulation, extracellular matrix (ECM) variability, and limited real-time 3D imaging, requiring improved materials and the integration of developmental signals. Current bottlenecks also include the high technical threshold for automation and the lack of standardized validation frameworks for regulatory adoption. Meanwhile, the concept of a “human-on-a-chip” has been proposed to mimic whole-body physiology by integrating multiple organoid modules. This approach enables systemic modeling of drug responses and toxicity, with the potential to reduce animal testing and revolutionize drug development. Future advancements in bio-responsive hydrogels and flexible biosensors will further empower these platforms to bridge the gap between bench-side research and personalized clinical interventions. In conclusion, organoid-on-a-chip technology offers a transformative in vitro model that closely recapitulates the complexity of human tissues and organ systems. It provides an unprecedented platform for advancing biomedical research, clinical translation, and pharmaceutical innovation. Continued development in biomaterials, microengineering, and analytical technologies will be essential to unlocking the full potential of this powerful tool.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is pathologically characterized by cerebral amyloid β‑protein (Aβ) aggregation, neurofibrillary tangles and progressive cognitive deterioration. There is an urgent clinical demand for targeted therapeutic agents against AD, whereas the blood-brain barrier (BBB) acts as a critical physical barrier that blocks over 98% small-molecule drugs and nearly all biomacromolecules from entering brain parenchyma. Nanomedicine-based drug delivery systems (NDDSs) with tunable physicochemical properties can cross the BBB via multiple transcytosis pathways including adsorptive-mediated, receptor-mediated and transporter-mediated routes, opening a promising avenue for targeted AD treatment. A core academic viewpoint proposed herein is that robust in vitro endothelial penetration of nanocarriers cannot guarantee effective accumulation in brain target cells. Comprehensive evaluation of BBB-crossing delivery efficiency should not merely rely on in vitro permeability tests, but cover the full multi-step transcytosis cascade, cellular tropism in brain tissues and in vivo therapeutic outcomes. This review systematically sorts out diverse nanoplatforms applicable to BBB penetration for AD intervention. Inorganic nanomaterials such as gold and ceria nanoparticles possess large specific surface areas and intrinsic antioxidant capacity, which eliminate reactive oxygen species and hinder Aβ fibrillization. Liposomal formulations and solid lipid nanoparticles exhibit superior biocompatibility with biomimetic phospholipid bilayer architectures, capable of co-loading hydrophilic nucleic acids for Tau regulation and lipophilic Aβ inhibitors; relying on receptor-mediated transcytosis, they achieve sustained drug retention in the brain. Polymeric nanocarriers including nanogels and polyamidoamine dendrimers enable multi-target combinatorial therapy, and can be engineered to release cargo in response to inflammatory microenvironments, thereby suppressing excessive microglial activation and protecting neuronal mitochondria. Beyond conventional nanocarriers, this work elaborates two cutting-edge BBB-crossing delivery platforms: biomimetic nanosystems and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Biomimetic nanoparticles camouflaged with erythrocyte, platelet or macrophage membranes, as well as natural exosomes, evade immune clearance, prolong systemic circulation and inherently home to inflammatory lesions. Serving as “nano-decoys”, they neutralize Aβ neurotoxins and remodel cerebral inflammatory microenvironments simultaneously. MOFs feature high porosity and customizable pore channels for co-delivery of multiple therapeutics, and can be integrated with near-infrared photothermal and photooxidation modalities to facilitate focal brain lesion therapy. This review highlights a transformative paradigm shift in the field of BBB-targeted AD therapy: research focus has shifted from simply maximizing cerebral drug penetration toward active modulation and functional restoration of the BBB. Impaired BBB transporters intrinsically impede endogenous Aβ clearance. Accordingly, BBB-regulating nanocarriers are designed to remodel the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) trafficking cascade, redirecting endocytic vesicles from lysosomal degradation to non-degradable transcytosis and restoring the intrinsic Aβ efflux capacity of the BBB. Distinct from conventional strategies that only exert local lesion inhibition, this systemic clearance strategy eliminates cerebral Aβ deposits by accelerating peripheral excretion.

Objective To explore the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease by examining the effects of dihydroartemisinin(DHA)on cognitive behavior,hippocampal,cerebral cortex and retinal cell morphology,β-amyloid(Aβ)and autophagy-related proteins in 5×FAD mice.Methods Twenty 5×FAD mice and 5 wild type(WT)mice were selected,all of which were female.The 5×FAD mice were randomly divided into model(M)group,donepezil(D)group,low-dose DHA(DHA-L)group,and high-dose DHA(DHA-H)group.The WT and M groups were not treated,and the D group was given donepezil 0.1 mg/kg per day.DHA-L group and DHA-H group were given 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg DHA per day,respectively.Group D,group DHA-L and group DHA-H were given intragastric administration once a day for 3 months.The changes of in cognitive behavior were measured by Morris experiment.HE staining was used to observe the arrangement and morphology of nerve cells in cerebral cortex,hippocampus and retina.The expressions of Aβ protein in cerebral cortex,hippocampus and retina were detected by immunohistochemistry.Western blotting detected the expression of autophagy related proteins(LC3-Ⅰ,LC3-Ⅱ,Beclin-1,P62,β-actin).Results The DHA-H group and the D group exhibited more frequent adoption of both linear and trending exploration routes.Compared to the model group,significant differences in the contents of Aβ in the hippocampal CA1,cerebral cortex S1,and retinal were observed(P＜0.0001)in the other four groups.The analysis also showed significant differences in autophagy-associated proteins between the DHA-L,DHA-H,and model groups(P＜0.01).Conclusion DHA improves cognitive function and increases the number of nerve cells in mice.It also reduces Aβ content in the cerebral cortex,hippocampus,and retina,along with improving autophagy-associated protein deposition in mice.

Abstract In recent years, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has risen rapidly, posing a serious threat to their physical and mental health. To provide scientific, systematic, and standardized weight management guidance for overweight and obese children and adolescents, the study focuses on the core concept of healthy lifestyle intervention, integrates multidisciplinary expert opinions and research findings,and proposes a comprehensive multidisciplinary intervention framework covering scientific exercise intervention, precise nutrition and diet, optimized sleep management, and standardized psychological support. It calls for the establishment of a multi agent collaborative management mechanism led by the government, implemented by families, fostered by schools, initiated by individuals, optimized by communities, reinforced by healthcare, and coordinated by multiple stakeholders. Emphasizing a child and adolescent centered approach, the consensus advocates for comprehensive, multi level, and personalized guidance strategies to promote the internalization and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. It serves as a reference and provides recommendations for the effective prevention and control of overweight and obesity, and enhancing the health level of children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Instrument separation is a critical complication during root canal therapy, impacting treatment success and long-term tooth preservation. The etiology of instrument separation is multifactorial, involving the intricate anatomy of the root canal system, instrument-related factors, and instrumentation techniques. Instrument separation can hinder thorough cleaning, shaping, and obturation of the root canal, posing challenges to successful treatment outcomes. Although retrieval of separated instrument is often feasible, it carries risks including perforation, excessive removal of tooth structure and root fractures. Effective management of separated instruments requires a comprehensive understanding of the contributing factors, meticulous preoperative assessment, and precise evaluation of the retrieval difficulty. The application of appropriate retrieval techniques is essential to minimize complications and optimize clinical outcomes. The current manuscript provides a framework for understanding the causes, risk factors, and clinical management principles of instrument separation. By integrating effective strategies, endodontists can enhance decision-making, improve endodontic treatment success and ensure the preservation of natural dentition.
Humans ; Root Canal Therapy/adverse effects* ; Consensus ; Root Canal Preparation/adverse effects*

Aim To investigate the role of corylin in angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)-induced cardiomyocyte hy-pertrophy and its underlying mechanisms.Methods An Ang Ⅱ-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model was established and treated with corylin.Real-time PCR was employed to assess hypertrophic gene mRNA expression,and immunofluorescence was used to meas-ure cardiomyocyte surface area.Western blot and en-zyme activity assay kits were used to evaluate SIRT1 expression and activity.Results Corylin markedly mitigated Ang Ⅱ-induced hypertrophic gene expression and cardiomyocyte surface area enlargement.Moreo-ver,it prevented the Ang Ⅱ-mediated decline in SIRT1 protein levels and deacetylase activity.Further investi-gation indicated that corylin inhibited Ang Ⅱ-driven NF-κB transcriptional activity and the expression of its downstream target genes,such as TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β.Notably,SIRT1 silencing abolished the protective effects of corylin against cardiomyocyte hypertrophy,as well as its regulation of the SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathway.Conclusion Corylin suppresses cardiomyo-cyte hypertrophy by modulating the SIRT1-dependent NF-κB signaling pathway.

Hypertensive nephropathy is one of the common chronic kidney diseases in China,the morbidity and mortality are increasing year by year,which seriously endangers the physical and mental health of patients.Traditional Chinese medicine believes that human is an organic whole,the five viscera and six organs are closely related in physiology and pathology,based on the theory of"holistic concept",the application of Chinese medicine in the treatment of hypertensive nephropathy can effectively improve kidney function and reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions.Therefore,based on the theory of"five viscera in one",this paper summarizes the etiology and pathogenesis of hypertensive nephropathy and the treatment of hypertensive nephropathy from the five aspects of liver,heart,spleen,lung and kidney,aiming to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of kidney disease by traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with high-myopia macular hole retinal detachment (MHRD) combined with choroidal detachment and to preliminarily analyze factors associated with postoperative hole closure.Methods:A retrospective clinical case series study. A total of 68 patients with high myopia (68 eyes) with MHRD diagnosed by Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University People’s Hospital from January 2019 to April 2024 were included in this study. Among them, there were 14 males (14 eyes) and 54 females (54 eyes). The mean age was (61.10±9.66) years. All eyes were treated with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with silicone oil or gas filling. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, and B-mode ultrasonography were performed. The BCVA test was performed using the Snellen visual acuity chart, which was statistically converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity. The range of choroidal detachment was defined according to the number of involved quadrants observed in B-mode ultrasound or surgery, which was divided into 1 to 4 quadrants. Axial length (AL) was measured under retinal reattachment. In 68 eyes, there were 17 eyes with choroidal detachment and 51 eyes without choroidal detachment, respectively. There were 17 eyes with choroidal detachment, and the detachment range involved 1, 2, 2 and 12 eyes in 1, 2, 3 and 4 quadrants, respectively. During operation, 13% C 3F 8 was filled in 2 eyes, all of which were not complicated with choroidal detachment. 66 eyes were filled with silicone oil. According to whether the patients were complicated with choroidal detachment, the patients were divided into the group without choroidal detachment and the group with choroidal detachment. Independent sample t test, Welch two-sample t test or Mann-Whitney U test were used for comparison between groups. Generalized linear regression and logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship between the aperture size of postoperative unclosed holes and the closed hole after surgery and clinical factors. Results:At 3 months after surgery, the logMAR BCVA of the affected eye was 1.29±0.43, with a preoperative to postoperative difference ranging from -1.60 to 0.70 (-0.51±0.51) logMAR units. The AL ranged from 26.6 to 34.3 (29.60±2.12) mm. Among 68 eyes, macular hole of 37 (54.4%, 37/68) eyes were open and 31 (45.6%, 31/68) eyes were closed, respectively. The hole diameter of the open eye was (753±424) μm. There was no significant difference in age, course of disease and AL between the two groups ( W=412.0, 477.5, 427.0; P>0.05). Before operation, BCVA in patients with choroidal detachment was worse ( W=257.5) and intraocular pressure was lower ( t=4.051) in patients with choroidal detachment compared with those without choroidal detachment, with statistical significance ( P<0.05). At 3 months after surgery, BCVA in patients with choroidal detachment was significantly worse than that in patients without choroidal detachment, with statistical significance ( W=284.0, P<0.05). There were no significant differences in logMAR BCVA difference ( t=0.616) and macular hole closure rate ( χ 2=0.000) before and after surgery ( P>0.05). The reoperation rate of retinal detachment due to persistent or recurrent retinal detachment was significantly higher in the group with choroid detachment than in the group without choroid detachment, and the difference was statistically significant (odds ratio=6.424, P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that young age was significantly correlated with macular hole closure failure after surgery ( β=0.077, P=0.015). There was no correlation between AL, duration of disease, BCVA before surgery, intraocular pressure, wether combined with choroid detachment range and postoperative hole closure ( β=-0.072, 0.000, 0.672, -0.085, -0.391; P>0.05). Conclusions:Concomitant choroidal detachment adversely affected on both pre-operative and post-operative visual acuity in high myopia MHRD. It is closely associated with the risk of recurrent retinal detachment and the needs of multiple operations, but has no significant effect on hole closure rate. Lower age of onset may be a risk factor for macular hole closure.