OBJECTIVES: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major chronic respiratory condition with high morbidity and mortality, imposing a serious economic and public health burden. The World Health Organization ranks COPD among the top 4 chronic diseases worldwide. Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture (ZSWQF), a novel Tibetan herbal formulation independently developed by our research team, has shown therapeutic potential for chronic respiratory diseases. This study aims to evaluate the effects of aerosolized ZSWQF on cigarette smoke-induced COPD in mice and explore its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Thirty C57 mice were randomly divided into a Control group, a COPD group, and a ZSWQF group. The Control group received saline aerosol inhalation without cigarette smoke exposure; both the COPD group and the ZSWQF group were exposed to cigarette smoke, with the former receiving saline inhalation and the latter treated with ZSWQF aerosol. White blood cell (WBC) count was performed using a fully automatic blood cell analyzer. Serum, alanine transaminase (ALT), and serum creatinine (SCr), as well as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). BALF cell classification was determined using a hematology analyzer. Lung function was assessed with a small animal pulmonary function system, including airway resistance (RI) and cyclic dynamic compliance (CyDN). Lung tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE), and mean linear intercept (MLI) and destruction index (DI) were calculated to evaluate morphological changes. Network pharmacology was applied to identify disease-related and ZSWQF-related targets, followed by intersection and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, and enrichment analysis of biological functions and pathways. Primary type II alveolar epithelial cell (AEC II) from SD rats were isolated and divided into a Control group, a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group, a normal serum group, a water extract of ZSWQF (W-ZSWQF) group, a ZSWQF containing serum group, and a MLN-4760 [angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 2 inhibitor]. Western blotting was performed to assess protein expression of ACE, p38 [a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)], phospho (p)-p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), p-ERK1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p-JNK, inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappa B alpha (IκBα), p-IκBα, and p-p65 subunit of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κBp65). RESULTS: WBC counts were significantly higher in the COPD group than in controls (P<0.01) and decreased following ZSWQF treatment (P<0.05). No significant intergroup differences were found in organ weights, ALT, or SCr (all P>0.05). Serum and BALF levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, as well as total BALF cells, neutrophils, and macrophages, were elevated in the COPD group compared with controls and reduced by ZSWQF treatment (P<0.05). COPD mice exhibited increased RI, decreased CyDN, marked alveolar congestion, inflammatory infiltration, thickened septa, and higher MLI and DI values versus controls (P<0.05); ZSWQF treatment significantly reduced MLI and DI (P<0.05). Network pharmacology identified 151 potential therapeutic targets for ZSWQF against COPD, with key nodes including TNF, IL-6, protein kinase B (Akt) 1, albumin (ALB), tumor protein p53 (TP53), non-receptor tyrosine kinase (SRC), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT) 3, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, and beta-catenin (CTNNB1). Enrichment analysis indicates involvement of cancer-related, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1, calcium, and MAPK signaling pathways. Western blotting results showed that compared with the LPS group, AEC II treated with ZSWQF-containing serum exhibited decreased expression of ACE, p-p38/p38, p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2, p-JNK/JNK, p-IκBα/IκBα, and p-NF-κBp65, while ACE2 expression was upregulated, consistent with the MAPK/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway regulation predicted by network pharmacology. CONCLUSIONS Aerosolized ZSWQF provides protective effects in COPD mice by reducing airway inflammation and remodeling.
Animals ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/etiology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Network Pharmacology ; Smoke/adverse effects* ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Administration, Inhalation ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Lung/drug effects* ; Interleukin-6/blood*

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*

Objective:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)is a significant global public health issue.Modern medical treatments have both benefits and limitations,prompting increasing attention from scholars worldwide on traditional ethnic medicine,and the Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture is a newly developed formula derived from the effective components of classical Tibetan medicine to treat chronic respiratory diseases.This study aims to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of the Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture combined with conventional treatment in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD). Methods:Sixty AECOPD patients admitted to the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from May 2021 to May 2023 were enrolled and randomly divided into 2 groups,with 30 patients in each group.The control group received conventional treatment,including bronchodilators,anti-infection agents,expectorants,and oxygen therapy.The experimental group received the Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture in addition to conventional treatment.The treatment duration was 7 d for both groups.Baseline data such as gender,age,body mass index(BMI),smoking status,Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease(GOLD)classification,COPD course,and the number of COPD exacerbations in the past year were collected.The primary efficacy indicators were assessed using the modified Medical Research Council(mMRC)dyspnea scale and the modified Borg scale.Secondary indicators included arterial lactic acid(LAC)and serum tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)levels.Safety indicators included liver and kidney function[alanine transaminase(ALT),aspartate transaminase(AST),serum creatinine(SCr),serum uric acid(SUA)],coagulation function[activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),prothrombin time(PT),fibrinogen(FIB),and D-dimer].The generalized linear mixed model(GLMM)was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture. Results:Before treatment,there were no statistically significant differences in general baseline data,grading of mMRC dyspnea scale,score of modified Borg scale,arterial LAC,ALT,AST,SCr,SUA,APTT,FIB,and D-dimer between the 2 groups(all P＞0.05).However,serum TNF-α and PT levels in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group(both P＜0.05).GLMM analysis showed that after adjusting for pre-and post-treatment,gender,age,BMI,smoking status,GOLD classification,COPD course,and the number of COPD exacerbations in the past year,the experimental group demonstrated significantly lower grading of mMRC dyspnea scale(coefficient=-0.329,P=0.036),score of modified Borg scale(coefficient=-1.077,P=0.001),serum TNF-α level(coefficient=-14.378,P＜0.001),and arterial LAC level(coefficient=-0.409,P=0.012)compared to the control group.The Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture had no significant effect on liver,kidney,or coagulation function indicators(all P＞0.05). Conclusion:The Zangsiwei Qingfei Mixture combined with conventional treatment can improve clinical symptoms and promote homeostasis in AECOPD patients,demonstrating safety and reliability.Combining modem medicine with traditional ethnic medicine offers a feasible approach to treating chronic respiratory diseases in the future.

Objective To discuss the clinical effect of biomimetic salivary gland induction technology in alleviating secondary xerostomia after endovascular intervention of isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection(ISMAD).Methods Using random number sampling method,a total of 80 patients with ISMAD,who received endovascular intervention at the Affiliated Nanjing Hospital of Nanjing Medical University of China between March 2020 and December 2022,were selected as the research subjects.For the patients of control group(n=40)the warm-water(25-35 ℃)cotton swab was adopted to moisten the lips from one hour to 48 hours after endovascular intervention,which was given once every 15 minutes within postoperative 1-2 hours,which was followed by once every 30 minutes within postoperative 3-48 hours.For the patients of study group(n=40)with the help of biomimetic salivary gland induction technology a continuous and controlled water flow at a rate of 15 mL/h was given from one hour to 48 hours after endovascular intervention to continuously keep the lips and mouth moist.The postoperative one-,12-,24-and 48-hour degrees of mouth dryness and oral comfort in both groups were analyzed.Results The postoperative one-,12-,24-,and 48-hour incidence of thirsty and the degrees of severity in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group(all P＜0.01),and the degrees of oral comfort at postoperative different time points in the study group were remarkably better than those in the control group(all P＜0.01).Conclusion The use of biomimetic salivary gland induction technology in patients with ISMAD after receiving endovascular intervention therapy can significantly reduce the incidence and severity of thirsty and improve oral comfort.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with nimotuzumab in the treatment of patients with inoperable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 503 patients with inoperable ESCC who underwent concurrent chemoradiotherapy in the Department of Radiation Oncology, Changzhou No. 2 People′s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University and Department of Radiation Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from 2014 to 2020. Among these patients, 69 received concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with nimotuzumab (the combined therapy group) and 434 received concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone (the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group). Patients of both groups were matched at a ratio of 1∶2 using the propensity score matching (PSM) method. As a result, 168 patients were determined for clinical analysis, including 61 in the combined therapy group and 107 in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group. The short-term efficacy and adverse reactions of both groups were compared. The overall survival (OS) curves and progression-free survival (PFS) curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method for the Log-rank test.Results:The two groups showed no statistical difference ( P > 0.05) in clinical baseline characteristics after the PSM. The objective response rate (ORR) of the combined therapy group was significantly higher than that of the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group with statistically significant differences (85.2% vs. 71.0%, χ2 = 4.33, P = 0.037). There was no statistical difference (98.4% vs. 91.6%, P > 0.05) in the disease control rate (DCR) between the two groups. The combined therapy group had median PFS of 28.07 months and 1-, 3-, and 5-year PFS ratios of 78.2%, 37.5% and 29.1%, respectively. The concurrent chemoradiotherapy group had mPFS of 19.54 months and 1-, 3-, and 5-year PFS ratios of 72.9%, 28.3% and 21.3%, respectively. Both groups showed statistically significant differences in PFS ( χ2 = 4.49, P = 0.034). The combined group had median OS of 34.93 months and 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS ratios of 88.5%, 46.8% and 37.4%, respectively. The concurrent chemoradiotherapy group had mOS of 24.30 months and 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS ratios of 81.3%, 35.2% and 28.0%, respectively. Both groups showed statistically significant differences in OS (χ 2= 5.11, P = 0.024), but did not show statistical differences ( P > 0.05) in the severity degree of each adverse effect during the treatment. Conclusions:Concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with nimotuzumab can improve the ORR and prolong the PFS and OS of patients with inoperable ESCC compared with concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone. Furthermore, combining with nimotuzumab does not increase adverse effects and can be tolerated by patients with high safety.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of niraparib, the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, on the radiosensitivity of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and to preliminarily investigate its mechanism.Methods:Human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells ECA-109 and KYSE-150 were divided into the control, niraparib, single irradiation, combined (niraparib+irradiation) groups. Cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8 assay. The changes of cell survival rate were detected by colony formation assay. The changes of cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. The number of γH2AX foci was detected by immunofluorescence, and the expression levels of PARP-1, cleaved-PARP, RAD51, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) [extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) ] and p-MAPK (ERK1/2) proteins were determined by Western blot. All data were expressed as Mean±SD. Data between two groups conforming to normal distribution through the normality test were subject to independent sample t-test and multiple groups were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results:In human ESCC cells ECA-109 and KYSE-150, the proliferation of ESCC cells was significantly inhibited by niraparib combined with irradiation, and the values of average lethal dose (D 0), quasi-threshould dose(D q), survival fraction after 2 Gy irradiation (SF 2) in the combined group were decreased compared with those in the single irradiation group. The effect of irradiation alone on apoptosis of ECA-109 and KYSE-150 cells was limited. Compared to single irradiation group, irradiation combined with niraparib further increased the apoptosis rate in ESCC cells ( P=0.015, P=0.006). In ECA-109 cells, G 2/M phase arrest was significantly increased in combined group compared with irradiation alone group ( P<0.001). In ECA-109 cells, the number of γH2AX foci in combined group was higher than that in the single irradiation group after 2 h, and showed a significantly slower decay of γH2AX foci ( P<0.001). Moreover, niraparib combined with irradiation enhanced the radiation-induced cleavage of PARP-1 and down-regulated the expression of Rad51 and p-MAPK(ERK1/2). Conclusion:Niraparib can increase the radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer cells by inhibiting cell proliferation, promoting cell apoptosis, inhibiting the repair of DNA damage and regulating the MARK-ERK signaling pathway.

The dental operative microscope has been widely employed in the field of dentistry, particularly in endodontics and operative dentistry, resulting in significant advancements in the effectiveness of root canal therapy, endodontic surgery, and dental restoration. However, the improper use of this microscope continues to be common in clinical settings, primarily due to operators' insufficient understanding and proficiency in both the features and established operating procedures of this equipment. In October 2019, Professor Jingping Liang, Vice Chairman of the Society of Cariology and Endodontology, Chinese Stomatological Association, organized a consensus meeting with Chinese experts in endodontics and operative dentistry. The objective of this meeting was to establish a standard operation procedure for the dental operative microscope. Subsequently, a consensus was reached and officially issued. Over the span of about four years, the content of this consensus has been further developed and improved through practical experience.
Humans ; Dentistry, Operative ; Consensus ; Endodontics ; Root Canal Therapy ; Dental Care

Digital guided therapy (DGT) has been advocated as a contemporary computer-aided technique for treating endodontic diseases in recent decades. The concept of DGT for endodontic diseases is categorized into static guided endodontics (SGE), necessitating a meticulously designed template, and dynamic guided endodontics (DGE), which utilizes an optical triangulation tracking system. Based on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images superimposed with or without oral scan (OS) data, a virtual template is crafted through software and subsequently translated into a 3-dimensional (3D) printing for SGE, while the system guides the drilling path with a real-time navigation in DGE. DGT was reported to resolve a series of challenging endodontic cases, including teeth with pulp obliteration, teeth with anatomical abnormalities, teeth requiring retreatment, posterior teeth needing endodontic microsurgery, and tooth autotransplantation. Case reports and basic researches all demonstrate that DGT stand as a precise, time-saving, and minimally invasive approach in contrast to conventional freehand method. This expert consensus mainly introduces the case selection, general workflow, evaluation, and impact factor of DGT, which could provide an alternative working strategy in endodontic treatment.
Humans ; Consensus ; Endodontics/methods* ; Tooth ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Dental Care ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Root Canal Therapy

Objective:To study the effects of poly adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors niraparib and pamiparib on the radiosensitivity of breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-436, and to explore its mechanism.Methods:MCF-7 and MDA-MB-436 cells were divided into control group, niraparib group, pamiparib group, radiation group, combination group treated with niraparib and radiation, and combination group treated with pamiparib and radiation, respectively. The effects of drugs on cell proliferation and radiosensitivity were measured by CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay, respectively. The effect of drugs combined with radiation on cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Immunofluorescence method was used to detect the changes of γ-H2AX focal number of cells. The expressions of FANCG, Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA and protein were detected by qPCR and Western blot, respectively.Results:Both niraparib and pamiparib inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer cells MCF-7 and MDA-MB-436 in a time-dose dependent manner. With the increase of irradiation dose, D0, Dq, SF2 value of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-436 cells decreased, and SER D0 and SER Dq value increased. Compared with control group, the percentages of cells in G 2/M phase were increased ( tMCF-7=41.66, 44.08, P<0.05; t436=24.69, 18.91, P<0.05), the percentage of cells in G 0/G 1 phase were decreased ( tMCF-7=8.67, 29.61, P<0.05; t436=26.39, 29.12, P<0.05), and the cell apoptosis rate was significantly increased ( tMCF-7=11.17, 11.71, P<0.05; t436=42.68, 15.89, P<0.05) in the combination group. Compared with control group, the number of γ-H2AX foci of MCF-7 cells in the radiation group and combination group treated with niraparib and radiation increased significantly at 2 h after irradiation ( t=8.89, 21.72, P<0.05). At 24 h after irradiation, the number of γ-H2AX foci basically returned to normal level in the radiation group but remained at a higher level in the combination group ( t=8.82, P<0.05). Compared with control group, the expressions of FANCG and Bcl-2 mRNA decreased ( tFANCG=14.07, P<0.05; tBcl-2=29.21, P<0.05), the expression of Bax mRNA increased ( t=8.90, P<0.05), and the expression of FANCG and Bcl-2 proteins decreased ( tFANCG=7.09, P<0.05; tBcl-2=10.24, P<0.05), while the expression of Bax protein increased ( t=2.90, P<0.05) in the combination group. Conclusions:PARP inhibitors niraparib and pamiparib can increase the radiosensitivity of breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-436 cells probably through down-regulating the expression of FANCG in FA-BRCA pathway, up-regulating apoptosis-related genes and inhibiting DNA damage repair.