Inflammation represents a critical immune response triggered by cellular activities and inflammatory mediators following tissue damage. It plays a central role in the pathological progression of diverse diseases, including psychiatric disorders, cancer, and immunological conditions, rendering it an essential target for therapeutic intervention. Periodontitis, a prevalent oral inflammatory disease, is a leading cause of tooth loss and poses significant health challenges globally. Traditionally, inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis have been treated with systemic administration of synthetic chemicals. However, recent years have witnessed challenges, including drug resistance and microbial dysbiosis associated with these treatments. In contrast, natural products derived from Chinese medicine offer numerous benefits, such as high safety profiles, minimal side effects, innovative pharmacological mechanisms, ease of extraction, and multiple targets, rendering them viable alternatives to conventional antibiotics for treating inflammatory conditions. Numerous effective anti-inflammatory natural products have been identified in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, lignans, and other natural products that exhibit inhibitory effects on inflammation and are potential therapeutic agents. Several studies have confirmed the substantial anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of these compounds. This comprehensive review examines the literature on the anti-inflammatory effects of TCM-derived natural products from databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI, focusing on terms like "inflammation", "periodontitis", "pharmacology", and "traditional Chinese medicine". The analysis systematically summarizes the molecular pharmacology, chemical composition, and biological activities of these compounds in inflammatory responses, alongside their mechanisms of action. This research seeks to deepen understanding of the mechanisms and biological activities of herbal extracts in managing inflammatory diseases, potentially leading to the development of promising new anti-inflammatory drug candidates. Future applications could extend to the treatment of various inflammatory conditions, including periodontitis.
Humans ; Periodontitis/immunology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemistry*

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the apical sealing properties of three endodontic sealers, namely, C-Root SP (C-R), iRoot SP, and GuttaFlow Bioseal (GFB) in vitro. METHODS: Eighty-two single-rooted premolars and anterior teeth were prepared by using M3 machine with nickel-titanium file and randomly divided into six experimental groups (n=12) and two control groups (n=5). Group A1: single-cone technique (SC)+C-R; group B1: SC+iRoot SP; group C1: SC+GFB; group A2: single-cone with ultrasonic activation (SU)+C-R; group B2: SU+iRoot SP; group C2: SU +GFB; group D: positive control group, and group E: negative control group. Dye penetration length and lateral root canal filling in each group were measured by dye penetration test. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the interface between gutta pertscha, root canal sealer, and dentin wall. Dye penetration length was measured and analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test, and data on lateral root canal filling were evaluated using Chi-square. RESULTS: The dye penetration length in group A1 was lower than that in groups C1 and A2 (P<0.05) but was not significantly different from the other groups (P>0.05). Lateral root canal filling was not significantly different among all groups (P>0.05). SEM showed that GFB was slightly better than C-R and iRoot SP in binding to gutta pertcha and dentin wall. CONCLUSIONS GFB, C-R, and iRoot SP demonstrate excellent apical sealing ability. Under the conditions tested in this study, SU did not yield significantly improve the apical sealing ability of the three root canal sealers.
Root Canal Filling Materials/chemistry* ; Humans ; Gutta-Percha ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Root Canal Obturation/methods* ; Ceramics ; Dimethylpolysiloxanes ; Drug Combinations

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the filling effects of three biomaterial root canal sealers [iRoot SP, C-Root SP, and GuttaFlow Bioseal (GFB)] by using Micro-CT. METHODS: Sixty single-canal detached premolars were selected. After crown amputation, their uniform working length was set at 12 mm and prepared to a 06 taper 30# with M3 nickel-titanium file. The samples were randomly divided into six groups with different sealers and obturation techniques: iRoot SP+single-cone technique (SC), C-Root SP+SC, GFB+SC, iRoot SP+single cone-mediated ultrasonic technique (SU), C-Root SP+SU, and GFB+SU. Samples were scanned by Micro-CT, and the total and segmented filling rates were calculated with Mimics 22.0 software after 3D reconstruction. RESULTS: The overall filling rate of the three biomaterial root canal sealers was higher than 90%. The overall and coronal third and middle third segment filling rate of groups iRoot SP+SC, C-Root SP+SC was higher than that of group GFB+SC (P<0.01), with no significant difference between groups iRoot SP+SC and C-Root SP+SC (P>0.05). On the apical third, no significant difference was found among each group (P>0.05). The overall and segment filling rate of groups iRoot SP+SU and C-Root SP+SU was higher than that of GFB+SU (P<0.01), with no significant difference between groups iRoot SP+SU and C-Root SP+SU (P>0.05). The filling rate of the apical 1/3 of group C-Root+SC was lower than that of group C-Root+SU (P<0.01), and the filling rate of the coronal 1/3 of group GFB+SC was higher than that in the GFB+SU (P<0.01). Nevertheless, no significant difference was found in other filling rate of two obturation techniques (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS The overall filling rate of the three biomaterial root canal sealers using SC and SU are satisfactory. iRoot SP and C-Root SP have similar filling rates, which are significantly higher than that of GFB. C-Root SP combined with SU technique can improve the filling quality of the root apical.
Root Canal Filling Materials ; X-Ray Microtomography ; Humans ; Root Canal Obturation/methods* ; Gutta-Percha ; Dimethylpolysiloxanes ; Drug Combinations ; Dental Pulp Cavity/diagnostic imaging* ; Bicuspid

Objective:To analyze clinical characteristics of primary pancreatic lymphoma (PPL) patients.Methods:Clinical features of 22 patients diagnosed as PPL admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2002 to May 2023 were analyzed retrospectively.Results:The median age was 56.4±13.3 years. The median time from onset to diagnosis was 1.0 (1.0, 3.0) months. The main clinical manifestations were abdominal pain (15/22), weight loss (14/22) and jaundice (10/22). Elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was observed in 15/20 (75%) patients. Only 2 (2/9, 22.2%) patients had increased CA199 levels and 2 (2/9, 22.2%) patients had increased CEA levels. The maximum tumor diameter was 5.0 (3.8, 6.9) cm. Contrast-enhanced CT mostly showed low enhancement lesions. Major pancreatic duct dilatation were rare on CT scan (4/20). Fifteen patients were confirmed by pancreatic pathology, of which 8 were obtained by surgery, 4 were obtained by CT or ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsy, and 3 were obtained by EUS-FNA. The main pathological type was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (14/22). 19 patients received chemotherapy, and 6 patients died with a median follow-up of 5.0 (1.5, 35.5) months.Conclusions:PPL is rare and easy to be misdiagnosed. Elevated LDH levels, normal tumor markers, and non-dilatation of main pancreatic duct are important diagnostic clues. It is important to obtain pathology by EUS-FNA and other methods for definite diagnosis.

Objective:To investigate the application effect of situational simulation combined with the Debriefing-GAS method in the teaching of prenatal genetic counseling.Methods:A total of 30 medical students of the five- and eight-year programs in the classes of 2017 and 2018 who received genetic counseling training in The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from May 2021 to May 2022 were selected as research subjects, and situational simulation combined with the debriefing-GAS method was used for the teaching of prenatal genetic counseling. Assessment was performed by the teacher to evaluate the change in genetic counseling abilities during the teaching process, and a questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the degree of satisfaction with teaching among the students. SPSS 26.0 software was used for data analysis; normally distributed continuous data were expressed as mean±standard deviation, non-normally distributed continuous data were expressed as M d(P 25,P75), and categorical data were expressed as frequency and rate; the paired samples t-test was used for comparison of assessment scores before and after teaching. Results:After teaching, there were significant increases in the assessment scores of genetic counseling [(74.5±18.6) points vs. (87.2±14.5) points, t=4.10, P<0.001] and comprehensive abilities such as clinical ability [(35.4±9.6) points vs. (41.1±6.9) points, t=3.72, P=0.001], doctor-patient communication [(17.5±4.6) points vs. (20.8±3.8) points, t=4.34, P<0.001], professional literacy [(11.0±2.5) points vs. (12.5±2.3) points, t=2.89, P=0.007], teamwork [(3.5±1.0) points vs. (4.2±0.8) points, t=3.67, P=0.001], and organizational effectiveness [(7.1±2.0) points vs. (8.3±1.7) points, t=2.94, P=0.006]. The questionnaire survey showed that the degree of satisfaction among students was rated above satisfaction for the reasonability of the implementation process and links of genetic counseling teaching [3.0 (3.0, 4.0) points], teaching quality [3.5 (3.0, 4.0) points], whether the teaching model could effectively increase the interest and initiative in learning [4.0 (3.0, 4.0) points], the improvement in theoretical knowledge [4.0 (3.0, 4.0) points], communication skills in genetic counseling [3.0 (3.0, 4.0) points], and the understanding of related techniques and application prospect [3.0 (3.0, 4.0) points]. However, two students (6.7%) thought that this teaching model could not efficiently reach teaching objectives, since the teaching process was slightly complicated. Conclusions:Situational simulation combined with the debriefing-GAS method has achieved a good effect in the teaching of prenatal genetic counseling and can help undergraduates to master the theoretical knowledge of prenatal genetic counseling and improve their comprehensive clinical abilities, with a relatively high degree of satisfaction, and therefore, it holds promise for clinical application.

OBJECTIVE To prep are Legumain enzyme and mitochondrial double-stage targeted harmine （HM） liposome （KA@HM-LPS）and preliminary evaluate its pharmaceutical properties ，in vitro antitumor effect and biocompatibility. METHODS Firstly，the preparation and homogenization methods of KA@HM-LPS was screened ，and prepared liposomes were characterized. Secondly，the serum stability ，in vitro release rate ，hemolysis percentage of KA@HM-LPS and cell survival rate under KA@BLPS were determines respectively. Finally ，the cell surivival rate ，mitochondrial targeting and inhibitory effects on cell migration and invasion of KA@HM-LPS were determined. RESULTS KA@HM-LPS was prepared by the thin-film dispersion method ，with encapsulation efficiency of （90.50 ± 0.62）％ . The extrusion moulding method was selected as homogenization method of KA@HM-LPS. The particle size ，polydispersity index ，and Zeta potential of KA@HM-LPS were （211.40±11.67）nm，0.316± 0.014 and（－14.20±0.49）mV，respectively. In 37 ℃，10％ FBS，the particle size of KA@HM-LPS kept stable after 12 h. In vitro release curve of KA@HM-LPS in 20％ plasma conformed to Weibull distribution and had the property of sustained release. When HM concentration was 160 μg/mL，the hemolysis percentage of KA@HM-LPS was （4.23±0.19）％，which was much lower than that of free HM ，with safety. When the mass concentration of KA@BLPS reaches 400 μg/mL，the survival rate of LO 2 cells was （94.40 ± 6.12）％ ，and the biocompatibility was good. Cell test results in vitro showed that ，inhibitory effect of KA@HM-LPS on liver cancer cells with overexpression of Legumain enzyme （LGMN -SK-Hep-1） was significantly higher than that of normal liver cancer cells SK-Hep- 1； compared with SK-Hep-1，LGMN +-SK-Hep-1 cells had a higher uptake efficiency of the liposome ；KA@HM-LPS could significantly inhibit the migration and invasion of LGMN +- SK-Hep-1 cells. CONCLUSIONS KA@HM-LPS is prepared successfully ，which can effectively inhibit the migration and invasion of liver cancer cells with Legumain enzyme overexpression ，and improve the blood compatibility of HM.

Background::To date, there is no effective medicine to treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the antiviral efficacy of arbidol in the treatment for COVID-19 remained equivocal and controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of arbidol tablets in the treatment of COVID-19.Methods::This was a prospective, open-label, controlled and multicenter investigator-initiated trial involving adult patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Patients were stratified 1:2 to either standard-of-care (SOC) or SOC plus arbidol tablets (oral administration of 200 mg per time, three times a day for 14 days). The primary endpoint was negative conversion of SARS-CoV-2 within the first week. The rates and 95% confidential intervals were calculated for each variable.Results::A total of 99 patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled; 66 were assigned to the SOC plus arbidol tablets group, and 33 to the SOC group. The negative conversion rate of SARS-CoV-2 within the first week in patients receiving arbidol tablets was significantly higher than that of the SOC group (70.3% [45/64] vs. 42.4% [14/33]; difference of conversion rate 27.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 7.7%-48.1%; P = 0.008). Compared to those in the SOC group, patients receiving arbidol tablets had a shorter duration of clinical recovery (median 7.0 days vs. 12.0 days; hazard ratio [HR]: 1.877, 95% CI: 1.151-3.060, P = 0.006), symptom of fever (median 3.0 days vs. 12.0 days; HR: 18.990, 95% CI: 5.350-67.410, P < 0.001), as well as hospitalization (median 12.5 days vs. 20.0 days; P < 0.001). Moreover, the addition of arbidol tablets to SOC led to more rapid normalization of declined blood lymphocytes (median 10.0 days vs. 14.5 days; P > 0.05). The most common adverse event in the arbidol tablets group was the elevation of transaminase (5/200, 2.5%), and no one withdrew from the study due to adverse events or disease progression. Conclusions::SOC plus arbidol tablets significantly increase the negative conversion rate of SARS-CoV-2 within the first week and accelerate the recovery of COVID-19 patients. During the treatment with arbidol tablets, we find no significant serious adverse events.Trial registration::Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, NCT04260594, www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04260594?term= NCT04260594&draw=2&rank=1

【Objective】 To investigate the efficacy and safety of sitagliptin combined with metformin versus glimepiride combined with metformin in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients with severe hyperglycaemia. 【Methods】 A randomized controlled and non-inferiority trial was carried out. A total of 129 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients with severe hyperglycaemia [FPG≥200 mg/mL (11.1 mmol/L) and HbA1c≥9.0%] were enrolled and numerally randomly assigned to two groups. The patients received sitagliptin combined with metformin (n=66) or glimepiride combined with metformin (n=63) for 4 weeks and then metformin alone for another 8 weeks. Glycaemic control, weight changes and β-cell insulin secretory capacity were investigated to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of these two treatments. 【Results】 Mean HbA1c reduction was 4.03% in sitagliptin group and 4.13% in glimepiride group after 3 months of treatment. The lower boundary of the two-sided 95% confidence intervals of the mean HbA1c reduction difference between the two groups was -0.648%, which was more than -0.65%, suggesting that the predefined statistical criterion for non-inferiority was achieved. FPG decreased significantly after one month of intervention in both groups (P<0.05). Significant reduction in the time of reaching euglycemia, FPG and weight decrease was observed in sitagliptin group than glimepiride group (P<0.05). The FPG control rate FPG<110 mg/mL (6.1 mmol/L) was higher in sitagliptin group than in glimepiride group (P<0.05). After the 3-month follow-up, FPG, HbA1c and incidence of hypoglycemia showed no significant differences in the two groups, while weight loss and BMI changes showed significant differences in sitagliptin group compared with glimepiride group (P<0.05). No significant differences in β-cell insulin secretory indexes were observed in the two therapy groups (P>0.05). 【Conclusion】 Our study provided evidence that sitagliptin combined with metformin in newly diagnosed diabetes patients with severe hyperglycaemia showed better outcomes in glycaemic remission compared with glimepiride for those who refused insulin injection.

OBJECTIVE： To establish a method for blood concentration determination of Fentanyl buccal tablet in Beagle dogs， and to study its pharmacokinetics. METHODS： A total of 6 Beagle dogs were given Fentanyl buccal tablet 1 tablet （675 μg/tablet， buccally）. The blood samples were collected 2， 5， 10， 15， 30， 45， 60， 90， 120， 240， 360， 480， 720 min after administration. After precipitated by methanol， LC-MS/MS method [the determination was performed on Agilent C18 column with mobile phase consisted of methanol-0.02％ formic acid aqueous solution （95 ∶ 5， V/V） at the flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The sample size was 5 μL and the column temperature was 30 ℃. Mass spectrometric conditions： electrospray ionization source in the multiple reaction monitoring mode was used to detect ions， fentanyl citrate： m/z 337.1→188.0； carbamazepine （internal standand）： m/z 237.1→194.1] was used to determine the blood concentration of fentanyl citrate； the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by using DAS 2.0 software. RESULTS： The linear range of fentanyl citrate were 1.0-325.0 ng/mL（r＝0.998）； inter-day RSDs of precision test were lower than 5％ （n＝6）， and intra-day RSDs were lower than 6％ （n＝3）； average recoveries were （94.65±6.32）％-（99.21±3.24）％ （n＝6）. RSDs of matrix effect was lower than 15％ （n＝6）； RE of stability tests were within ±6.2％ （n＝3）. The pharmacokinetic parameters of Fentanyl buccal tablet in Beagle dogs included that tmax was （32.5±6.1） min； t1/2 was （211.8±47.4） min； cmax was （40.3±1.9） ng/mL； CLz/F was （0.006±0.001） L/（min·kg）； AUC0-720 min was （7 564.0±1 576.7） ng·min/mL（n＝6）. CONCLUSIONS： The method is simple， feasible and accurate. Fentanyl buccal tablet have good fast-release and slow-release biphasic release characteristics in Beagle dogs.

Aim To investigate the effect of Ajuga decumbens(HBG), Poria cocos(FL) and their combination on the metastasis of invasive breast cancer cells and the related mechanisms.Methods We conducted several assays including cell adhesion assay, scratch assay and transwell invasion assay.Western blot analysis was employed to detect the expression of associated proteins of EMT and MAPK signaling pathway.Results FL,HBG and their combination could significantly inhibit the adhesion, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3 cells.HBG and FL had markedly synergistic effect, and the best compatibility ratio was 10 ∶1.HBG, FL and their combination could reverse EMT of breast cancer cells, which increased the levels of epithelial biomarkers, such as β-catenin, E-cadherin and ZO-1, and reduced the levels of mesenchymal biomarkers, such as vimentin.Moreover, treatment of the cells with HBG, FL and their combination resulted in marked inhibition of phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK and p38.Conclusions The combination of HBG and FL have the ability to inhibit breast cancer cell invasion by targeting the expression of MAPK pathway as well as suppressing the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.