Objective:To analyze the burden and trends of noncommunicable chronic disease(NCD) attributable to metabolic factors in China from 1990 to 2021.Methods:Data from the Global Burden of Diseases(GBD) 2021 database were utilized to describe changes in mortality and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs) of NCD in China from 1990 to 2021. Stratified analyses were conducted by age, sex, sociodemographic index(SDI), and related risk factors. Statistical analyses and predictions were conducted using the age-period-cohort model and the Nordpred model.Results:In 2021, the age-standardized mortality rate and age-standardized DALYs rate of NCD attributable to metabolic factors in China were 227.56 per 100 000 and 4 829.39 per 100 000, respectively. Their average annual percentage changes were -0.76%( P<0.001) and -0.77%( P<0.001). Overall, the burden decreased progressively with higher SDI levels. Analysis using the age-period-cohort model indicated reduced birth cohort and period effects for metabolic factor-attributable NCD, while age effects rose significantly. The minimum relative risk( RR) value was observed in the 15-19 age group( RR=0.01), and the maximum RR value occurred in the 95-99 age group( RR=996.86). The overall rising mortality trend indicated that age effects are the predominant driver at present. Projections estimate that by 2046, deaths from metabolic factor-attributable NCD in China will reach 8 189 563, with an age-standardized mortality rate of 236.95 per 100 000. Conclusions:China continues to face a substantial burden of NCD linked to metabolic factors, with older adults, males, and individuals with hypertension, diabetes, and prediabetes identified as key populations requiring targeted interventions.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between serum growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN), and further explore the relationship of GDF15 with the cardiac and renal prognosis of IgAN patients.Methods:It was a single-center retrospective cohort study. From January 2018 to December 2022, the relevant data were collected from patients who were diagnosed with primary IgAN at the Department of Nephrology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, and regularly followed up for at least 1 year. Serum samples were collected at admission and the baseline level of serum GDF15 was measured. Based on the median GDF15 level, IgAN patients were categorized into high-level GDF15 group and low-level GDF15 group, and their clinicopathological characteristics were compared. A multiple linear regression model was then constructed to identify independent factors associated with serum GDF15 level based on these comparisons. Subsequently, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to investigate the association between serum GDF15 level and the cardiorenal prognosis of IgAN patients.Results:A total of 104 IgAN patients were included in this study. The serum GDF15 level in these IgAN patients was 825.60 (556.84, 1 428.15) ng/L. Serum GDF15 level was positively correlated with 24 h urinary protein ( r=0.405, P<0.001), negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)( r=-0.606, P<0.001). The serum levels of GDF15 in patients with tubular atrophy or interstitial fibrosis (overall comparison among T0, T1, and T2, H=21.866, P<0.001), crescentic lesions (overall comparison among C0, C1, and C2, H=13.787, P=0.001), or intrarenal arteriolar lesions (overall comparison among none, mild, and moderate-to-severe, H=9.856, P=0.007) were significantly different. Compared with IgAN patients without tubular atrophy or interstitial fibrosis, those with Oxford classification T1 ( Z=-17.326, P=0.042) or T2 ( Z=-42.933, P<0.001) had higher serum GDF15 levels. Compared with IgAN patients without crescentic lesions, those with Oxford classification C2 had higher serum GDF15 levels ( Z=-45.929, P=0.001). Compared with IgAN patients without intrarenal arteriolar lesions, those with moderate-to-severe arteriolar sclerosis had higher serum GDF15 levels ( Z=-26.686, P=0.005). The median GDF15 was used as the cut-off value to divide IgAN patients into a high-level GDF15 group (≥825.60 ng/L, n=52) and a low-level GDF15 group (<825.60 ng/L, n=52). Compared to low-level GDF15 group, IgAN patients in high-level GDF15 group presented with a higher proportion of diabetes mellitus ( χ 2=9.420, P=0.002) and cardiovascular disease ( χ 2=7.792, P=0.005), a higher level of systolic blood pressure ( Z=-2.266, P=0.023), body mass index ( Z=-2.183, P=0.031), 24 h urinary protein ( Z=-3.485, P<0.001), blood total cholesterol ( Z=-2.002, P=0.045) and left ventricular mass index ( Z=-2.649, P=0.008), and a lower level of blood albumin ( Z=-3.053, P=0.002) and eGFR ( Z=6.480, P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum GDF15 level was independently associated with systolic blood pressure (regression coefficient B=29.453, 95% CI 14.139–44.767, P<0.001), blood albumin ( B=-81.412, 95% CI -113.084–-49.740, P<0.001) and eGFR ( B=-9.797, 95% CI -17.554–-2.040, P=0.014). Moreover, IgAN patients in high-level GDF15 group exhibited significantly poorer cardiac and renal prognosis compared to low-level GDF15 group ( χ 2=9.955, P=0.002). Conclusion:High serum GDF15 level correlates with disease severity in IgAN, and high serum GDF15 level may suggest a poorer cardiorenal prognosis in IgAN patients.

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 investigate the different clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) accompanied by IgA deposition diagnosed by renal biopsy.Methods:The study was a retrospective cohort study. Clinical and pathological data of patients diagnosed with DN through renal biopsy in Beijing Anzhen Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2023 were retrospectively collected. The clinical and pathological characteristics and prognosis of DN patients with IgA deposition and DN control group patients without IgA deposition were compared. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the intensity of galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) staining in renal tissue of DN patients with DN IgA deposition, and grouping was performed according to whether the staining intensity was≥2+. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the serum level of Gd-IgA1 in patients. A 50% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline or progression to end-stage renal disease within 5 years was defined as a renal endpoint event, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Log-rank test were used to compare the difference in cumulative incidence of renal endpoint events between two groups of patients.Results:A total of 101 DN patients were enrolled in this study, including 68 males (67.3%) and 33 females (32.7%), with age of (52.2±10.3) years and a median follow-up time of 13.5(4.8, 26.3) months. There were 44 patients with IgA deposition (43.6%) and 57 patients without IgA deposition (56.4%). Compared with DN control group, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that DN patients with IgA deposition had a higher cumulative incidence of renal endpoint within 5 years ( χ2=6.473, P=0.011). The proportion of positive glomerular Gd-IgA1 (KM55) staining in the DN patients with IgA deposition was 54.5% (24/44), and immunofluorescence examination showed consistent distribution of Gd-IgA1 and IgA in the glomerular mesangial and capillary regions. The serum level of Gd-IgA1 in the glomerular Gd-IgA1 positive patients was significantly higher than that in those negative patients [(6 296.4± 1 535.4) μg/L vs. (4 057.4±1 082.0) μg/L, t=-3.037, P=0.010]. In DN patients with IgA deposition, the age of the subgroup with endpoint events was younger [(42.8±6.9) years vs. (53.3±9.4) years, t=-3.440, P=0.002], the duration of proteinuria was shorter [6.0(1.0, 22.0) months vs. 12.0(10.0, 36.0) months, Z=-2.150, P=0.032], and the proportion of patients with glomerular Gd-IgA1 staining intensity ≥2+ was higher [Fisher'exact test, 30.8%(4/13) vs. 0(0/20), P=0.017]. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with glomerular Gd-IgA1 staining intensity≥2+ had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of renal endpoint events ( χ2=4.846, P=0.028). Conclusion:DN patients with glomerular IgA deposition and Gd-IgA1 positivity may be associated with worse prognosis.

Objective:To explore the effect of different swallowing tasks on cortex activation and functional connectivity in stroke survivors with dysphagia using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).Methods:Thirty stroke survivors with dysphagia performed three different swallowing tasks: swallowing action observation (SO), swallowing action execution (SE), and swallowing action imagination (SI). During each task, fNIRS was used to document the brain concentrations of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin. Cortex activation (β value) and brain functional connectivity were assessed.Results:Compared with the resting state, the areas activated during the SO task included the left primary sensory cortex and the right prefrontal cortex. During the SE and SI tasks the left prefrontal cortex and the left motor cortex were activated as well. Compared with hemorrhagic stroke survivors, ischemic stroke survivors showed significantly greater activation of the right primary sensory cortex, the right motor cortex, and the left primary sensory cortex during the SE task. Functional connectivity during the SO, SE and SI tasks was significantly greater than in the resting state, with the average connectivity values during the SE task significantly higher than during the SI task.Conclusions:Stroke survivors with dysphagia exhibit increased activation in the prefrontal cortex and primary sensory cortex during different swallowing tasks. Such tasks can improve their brain functional connectivity.

Objective:To investigate the different clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN) accompanied by IgA deposition diagnosed by renal biopsy.Methods:The study was a retrospective cohort study. Clinical and pathological data of patients diagnosed with DN through renal biopsy in Beijing Anzhen Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2023 were retrospectively collected. The clinical and pathological characteristics and prognosis of DN patients with IgA deposition and DN control group patients without IgA deposition were compared. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the intensity of galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) staining in renal tissue of DN patients with DN IgA deposition, and grouping was performed according to whether the staining intensity was≥2+. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the serum level of Gd-IgA1 in patients. A 50% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline or progression to end-stage renal disease within 5 years was defined as a renal endpoint event, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Log-rank test were used to compare the difference in cumulative incidence of renal endpoint events between two groups of patients.Results:A total of 101 DN patients were enrolled in this study, including 68 males (67.3%) and 33 females (32.7%), with age of (52.2±10.3) years and a median follow-up time of 13.5(4.8, 26.3) months. There were 44 patients with IgA deposition (43.6%) and 57 patients without IgA deposition (56.4%). Compared with DN control group, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that DN patients with IgA deposition had a higher cumulative incidence of renal endpoint within 5 years ( χ2=6.473, P=0.011). The proportion of positive glomerular Gd-IgA1 (KM55) staining in the DN patients with IgA deposition was 54.5% (24/44), and immunofluorescence examination showed consistent distribution of Gd-IgA1 and IgA in the glomerular mesangial and capillary regions. The serum level of Gd-IgA1 in the glomerular Gd-IgA1 positive patients was significantly higher than that in those negative patients [(6 296.4± 1 535.4) μg/L vs. (4 057.4±1 082.0) μg/L, t=-3.037, P=0.010]. In DN patients with IgA deposition, the age of the subgroup with endpoint events was younger [(42.8±6.9) years vs. (53.3±9.4) years, t=-3.440, P=0.002], the duration of proteinuria was shorter [6.0(1.0, 22.0) months vs. 12.0(10.0, 36.0) months, Z=-2.150, P=0.032], and the proportion of patients with glomerular Gd-IgA1 staining intensity ≥2+ was higher [Fisher'exact test, 30.8%(4/13) vs. 0(0/20), P=0.017]. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that patients with glomerular Gd-IgA1 staining intensity≥2+ had a significantly higher cumulative incidence of renal endpoint events ( χ2=4.846, P=0.028). Conclusion:DN patients with glomerular IgA deposition and Gd-IgA1 positivity may be associated with worse prognosis.

Objective:To explore the effect of different swallowing tasks on cortex activation and functional connectivity in stroke survivors with dysphagia using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).Methods:Thirty stroke survivors with dysphagia performed three different swallowing tasks: swallowing action observation (SO), swallowing action execution (SE), and swallowing action imagination (SI). During each task, fNIRS was used to document the brain concentrations of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin. Cortex activation (β value) and brain functional connectivity were assessed.Results:Compared with the resting state, the areas activated during the SO task included the left primary sensory cortex and the right prefrontal cortex. During the SE and SI tasks the left prefrontal cortex and the left motor cortex were activated as well. Compared with hemorrhagic stroke survivors, ischemic stroke survivors showed significantly greater activation of the right primary sensory cortex, the right motor cortex, and the left primary sensory cortex during the SE task. Functional connectivity during the SO, SE and SI tasks was significantly greater than in the resting state, with the average connectivity values during the SE task significantly higher than during the SI task.Conclusions:Stroke survivors with dysphagia exhibit increased activation in the prefrontal cortex and primary sensory cortex during different swallowing tasks. Such tasks can improve their brain functional connectivity.

Objective:To analyze the burden and trends of noncommunicable chronic disease(NCD) attributable to metabolic factors in China from 1990 to 2021.Methods:Data from the Global Burden of Diseases(GBD) 2021 database were utilized to describe changes in mortality and disability-adjusted life years(DALYs) of NCD in China from 1990 to 2021. Stratified analyses were conducted by age, sex, sociodemographic index(SDI), and related risk factors. Statistical analyses and predictions were conducted using the age-period-cohort model and the Nordpred model.Results:In 2021, the age-standardized mortality rate and age-standardized DALYs rate of NCD attributable to metabolic factors in China were 227.56 per 100 000 and 4 829.39 per 100 000, respectively. Their average annual percentage changes were -0.76%( P<0.001) and -0.77%( P<0.001). Overall, the burden decreased progressively with higher SDI levels. Analysis using the age-period-cohort model indicated reduced birth cohort and period effects for metabolic factor-attributable NCD, while age effects rose significantly. The minimum relative risk( RR) value was observed in the 15-19 age group( RR=0.01), and the maximum RR value occurred in the 95-99 age group( RR=996.86). The overall rising mortality trend indicated that age effects are the predominant driver at present. Projections estimate that by 2046, deaths from metabolic factor-attributable NCD in China will reach 8 189 563, with an age-standardized mortality rate of 236.95 per 100 000. Conclusions:China continues to face a substantial burden of NCD linked to metabolic factors, with older adults, males, and individuals with hypertension, diabetes, and prediabetes identified as key populations requiring targeted interventions.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between serum growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN), and further explore the relationship of GDF15 with the cardiac and renal prognosis of IgAN patients.Methods:It was a single-center retrospective cohort study. From January 2018 to December 2022, the relevant data were collected from patients who were diagnosed with primary IgAN at the Department of Nephrology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, and regularly followed up for at least 1 year. Serum samples were collected at admission and the baseline level of serum GDF15 was measured. Based on the median GDF15 level, IgAN patients were categorized into high-level GDF15 group and low-level GDF15 group, and their clinicopathological characteristics were compared. A multiple linear regression model was then constructed to identify independent factors associated with serum GDF15 level based on these comparisons. Subsequently, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to investigate the association between serum GDF15 level and the cardiorenal prognosis of IgAN patients.Results:A total of 104 IgAN patients were included in this study. The serum GDF15 level in these IgAN patients was 825.60 (556.84, 1 428.15) ng/L. Serum GDF15 level was positively correlated with 24 h urinary protein ( r=0.405, P<0.001), negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)( r=-0.606, P<0.001). The serum levels of GDF15 in patients with tubular atrophy or interstitial fibrosis (overall comparison among T0, T1, and T2, H=21.866, P<0.001), crescentic lesions (overall comparison among C0, C1, and C2, H=13.787, P=0.001), or intrarenal arteriolar lesions (overall comparison among none, mild, and moderate-to-severe, H=9.856, P=0.007) were significantly different. Compared with IgAN patients without tubular atrophy or interstitial fibrosis, those with Oxford classification T1 ( Z=-17.326, P=0.042) or T2 ( Z=-42.933, P<0.001) had higher serum GDF15 levels. Compared with IgAN patients without crescentic lesions, those with Oxford classification C2 had higher serum GDF15 levels ( Z=-45.929, P=0.001). Compared with IgAN patients without intrarenal arteriolar lesions, those with moderate-to-severe arteriolar sclerosis had higher serum GDF15 levels ( Z=-26.686, P=0.005). The median GDF15 was used as the cut-off value to divide IgAN patients into a high-level GDF15 group (≥825.60 ng/L, n=52) and a low-level GDF15 group (<825.60 ng/L, n=52). Compared to low-level GDF15 group, IgAN patients in high-level GDF15 group presented with a higher proportion of diabetes mellitus ( χ 2=9.420, P=0.002) and cardiovascular disease ( χ 2=7.792, P=0.005), a higher level of systolic blood pressure ( Z=-2.266, P=0.023), body mass index ( Z=-2.183, P=0.031), 24 h urinary protein ( Z=-3.485, P<0.001), blood total cholesterol ( Z=-2.002, P=0.045) and left ventricular mass index ( Z=-2.649, P=0.008), and a lower level of blood albumin ( Z=-3.053, P=0.002) and eGFR ( Z=6.480, P<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum GDF15 level was independently associated with systolic blood pressure (regression coefficient B=29.453, 95% CI 14.139–44.767, P<0.001), blood albumin ( B=-81.412, 95% CI -113.084–-49.740, P<0.001) and eGFR ( B=-9.797, 95% CI -17.554–-2.040, P=0.014). Moreover, IgAN patients in high-level GDF15 group exhibited significantly poorer cardiac and renal prognosis compared to low-level GDF15 group ( χ 2=9.955, P=0.002). Conclusion:High serum GDF15 level correlates with disease severity in IgAN, and high serum GDF15 level may suggest a poorer cardiorenal prognosis in IgAN patients.