Radiotherapy is a crucial treatment modality for head and neck tumors. However, while effectively killing tumor cells, it significantly disrupts the homeostasis of the oral microecology, which is closely associated with various complications such as radiation-induced oral mucositis. Literature review indicates that as radiotherapy doses accumulate and treatment durations extend, the richness and diversity of the oral microbiota show a declining trend, with the genus Streptococcus decreasing most markedly. In contrast, radiotherapy selectively promotes the proliferation of bacterial phyla such as Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, which are rich in opportunistic pathogens. Mechanistically, radiotherapy activates the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway, triggering chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, damaging the epithelial barrier, suppressing local immunity, and causing damage to organs such as the salivary glands. It can also induce systemic diseases via the oral-gut axis, forming a multi-level, interconnected pathogenic network. In terms of interventions, treatment strategies including probiotics and prebiotics have shown promising efficacy against side effects such as radiation-induced oral mucositis. Saliva-based oral microbiota transplantation is an emerging strategy that is expected to become widely utilized for restoring oral microecological balance. Existing interventions provide preliminary pathways for clinical practice, but this field still faces several key scientific questions. The association between oral microecology and systemic diseases remains largely correlative, lacking causal evidence. Furthermore, critical parameters for oral microbiota transplantation, such as donor screening criteria, transplantation protocols, and long-term safety, are not yet well-defined. Therefore, future research should focus on conducting large-scale clinical trials to establish standardized protocols and safety evaluation systems for oral microecological interventions, and explore combined treatment therapies such as probiotics, prebiotics, and microbiota transplantation to advance the development of personalized precision modulation. These will enable more effective management of radiotherapy-induced oral microecological dysbiosis and improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients with head and neck tumors.

Chronic cough is one of the common complications after pulmonary nodule surgery. Its etiology and pathogenesis are complex， and syndrome differentiation and treatment in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） require comprehensive consideration of the distinct characteristics across the preoperative， intraoperative， and postoperative phases. Prior to surgery， there may be healthy qi depletion with lingering pathogens in the lungs； during surgery， metal instruments may injure the body， leading to qi and blood damage； after surgery， the depletion of healthy qi worsens， with dual deficiency of lung and spleen qi and yin as the root condition， often complicated by pathogens such as wind， phlegm， stagnation， and stasis. Treatment should follow the principle of comprehensively considering all three phases with a focus on the postoperative phase. Replenishing deficiency is the primary， particularly by tonifying qi and nourishing yin， as well as supplementing the lung and fortifying the spleen. For different accompanying syndromes， therapeutic methods such as dispelling wind， resolving phlegm， relieving stagnation， and unblocking stasis should be applied accordingly， while aggressive purgative herbs should be used with caution to avoid depletion of qi and blood injury.

AIM: To investigate the effects of Conbercept on various optical coherence tomography(OCT)biomarkers in patients with retinal vein occlusion-related macular edema(RVO-ME), and to analyze the correlation of these biomarker changes with visual prognosis.METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 57 patients(57 eyes)with RVO-ME, including 25 patients(25 eyes)with central retinal vein occlusion(CRVO)and 32 patients(32 eyes)with branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO), were enrolled in this study. All the patients received intravitreal injection of conbercept once a month, three times in total. The preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), and changes in OCT biomarkers, including central macular thickness(CMT), the length of disorganization of the retinal inner layers(DRIL), the number of hyperreflective dots(HRD), the area of intraretinal fluid(IRF), the area of subretinal fluid(SRF), and the length of ellipsoid zone(EZ)disruption were compared. Furthermore, the relationship of these changes with BCVA was analyzed.RESULTS:Compared with the baseline, at 3 mo post-treatment, BCVA(LogMAR)was improved, CMT was decreased, the length of DRIL was shortened, the number of HRD was reduced, the area of IRF was decreased, the area of SRF was reduced, and the length of EZ disruption was shortened(all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was no correlation between the changes in CMT, the length of DRIL, the number of HRD, the area of IRF, the area of SRF and the change in BCVA before and after treatment(P>0.05). However, the change in the length of EZ disruption was positively correlated with the change in BCVA(rs=0.34, P=0.011), and the R2 value of the fitting curve between the change in the length of EZ disruption and the change in BCVA was 0.113(P=0.011). When comparing the pre- and post-treatment changes in BCVA, the length of DRIL, the number of HRD, the area of IRF, the area of SRF, and the length of EZ disruption between patients in the CRVO group and BRVO group, no significant differences were observed(all P>0.05). In contrast, a significant difference was found in the change in CMT between the two groups(P=0.002).CONCLUSION:Conbercept effectively improves multiple OCT biomarkers in patients with RVO-ME. Repair of EZ disruption is a key driver of visual recovery, and its stability may serve as a novel indicator for personalized decision-making in anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.

OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism by which Cuscuta chinensis flavonoids （CCF） promote decidualization and improve recurrent spontaneous abortion （RSA）. METHODS HTR-8/SVneo cells in logarithmic growth phase were randomly divided into blank group， lipopolysaccharide （LPS） group， CCF group， SGK2 inhibitor （GSK650394， abbreviated as “GSK”） group and CCF+GSK group. Each group was treated with the corresponding agents accordingly. HTR-8/SVneo cells with SGK2 knockdown were randomly divided into small interfering RNA of SGK2 （siSGK2） group and siSGK2+CCF group； additionally， blank group and LPS group were established； each group was treated with the corresponding agents accordingly. The cell survival rate， expression levels of WNK signaling pathway- and decidualization-related proteins and mRNAs， as well as mitochondrial membrane potential levels， were assessed in each group before and after SGK2 knockdown. RSA mice model was constructed and randomly divided into model group， CCF low-dose group， CCF high-dose group， GSK group， and combined dosing group， with 4 mice in each group. Other 4 normal pregnant female mice were selected as the control group. The number of implanted embryos， viable fetuses， and lost embryos in mice was recorded. The morphological changes of endometrium and decidualization were observed， and WNK signaling pathway- and decidualization-related proteins and mRNAs expressing levels as well as mitochondrial membrane potential levels were all detected. RESULTS Compared with the blank group， the cell survival rate， as well as the protein and mRNA expression levels of SGK2， WNK1， WNK4， prolactin， insulin-like growth factor- binding protein-1， oxidative stress responsive kinase 1， and Ste20-like proline-/alanine-rich kinase were significantly reduced in the LPS group （P＜0.05）； compared with the LPS group， the cell survival rate and the expression levels of the above- mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly increased in the CCF group， while the cell survival rate and the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly decreased in the GSK group （P＜0.05）； compared with the CCF group， the cell survival rate and the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly reduced in the CCF+GSK group （P＜0.05）. After knocking down SGK2， compared with the LPS group， the cell survival rate， red/green fluorescence intensity ratio， and the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly reduced in the siSGK2 group （P＜0.05）； compared with the siSGK2 group， the cell survival rate， red/green fluorescence intensity ratio， and the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs were significantly increased in the siSGK2+CCF group （P＜0.05）. The in vivo experimental results showed that CCF treatment can significantly improve the number of implanted embryos and viable fetuses in RSA model mice and reduce lost embryos， the expression levels of the above-mentioned proteins and mRNAs in endometrial tissue were significantly increased， and the red/green fluorescence intensity ratio was significantly increased （P＜ 0.05）； the combined dosing group could reverse the effect of CCF （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS CCF can activate SGK2， up- regulate the WNK signaling pathway， promote endometrial decidualization， and improve RSA.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Yisui Shengxue Decoction on the regulation of Notch signaling pathway on bone marrow hematopoiesis in mice with aplastic anemia(AA).Methods:A total of 60 CByB6F1 mice were randomly divided into blank group,model group,positive control cyclosporine(CsA)group,low-dose(YSSX-L)group and high-dose(YSSX-H)group of Chinese herbal compound Yisui Shengxue Decoction,with 12 mice in each group.Except for the blank group,the mice in each group were given 5 Gy X-ray irradiation combined with tail vein infusion of lymphocytes to establish the immune-mediated AA mouse model.The low and high dose groups were given 8.6 and 17.2 g/(kg?d)of Yisui Shengxue Decoction by gavage,the model group and the blank group were given equal volume of saline by gavage,and the positive control group was given 25 mg/(kg?d)of cyclosporine by ga-vage for 14 days.The mice were tested for white blood cell count(WBC),red blood cell count(RBC),hemoglobin(Hb),platelet count(PLT)and bone marrow nucleated cell count in peripheral blood,bone marrow pathological changes and the levels of IFN-γ,IL-4 and IL-5 in peripheral serum,and T-lymphocyte transcription factors T-bet,GATA3,RORγt,FOXP3 mRNA and protein in spleen tissues,as well as the expression levels of Notch signaling pathway-related genes and protein in spleen tissues.Results:Compared with the blank group,the peripheral blood WBC,RBC,Hb,PLT,bone marrow nucleated cell count,expressions of serum IL-4,IL-5 and spleen tissue GATA3,FOXP3 mRNA and protein were significantly lower in the model group(P<0.01),and the expressions of serum IFN-γ,spleen tissue T-bet,RORγt mRNA and protein,and Notch1,Jagged1,DLL4 mRNA and protein were significantly in-creased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,peripheral blood WBC,RBC,Hb,PLT,bone marrow nucleated cell count,ex-pressions of serum IL-4,IL-5 and spleen tissue GATA3,FOXP3 mRNA and protein were significantly higher in each intervention group(P<0.05),and the expression of serum IFN-γ and spleen tissue T-bet,RORγt mRNA and protein as well as Notch1,Jagged1,DLL4 mRNA and protein were significantly reduced(P<0.05).Conclusion:Yisui Shengxue Decoction can improve bone marrow he-matopoietic function and regulate immune disorders in AA mice,and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of Notch signaling pathway.

Objective"Red butterfly sore","yin-yang toxin"and"Bi disease"are different Chinese medicine diagnoses of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE).It is not clear whether there are biological differences between these three types of Chinese medicine diagnoses.The aim of this study was to compare the different TCM diagnoses of SLE patients from the perspective of lymphocyte subsets and cytokines.Methods Patients diagnosed with SLE in our hospital from June 1,2021 to December 1,2023 were retrospectively collected,and the differences of T cell subsets,NK cells,B lymphocytes and Th1,Th2 and Th17 cytokines among different groups were compared by one-way ANOVA or nonparametric test.As well as differences in laboratory test indicators such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C-reactive protein(CRP),immunoglobulin,and complement,receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC curve)was used to analyze the value of these indexes in the differential diagnosis of different types of SLE.Results From June 1,2021 to December 1,2023,291 patients diagnosed with SLE in our hospital for the first time were collected,and 104 cases meeting the exclusion criteria of this study were included,including 31 cases of red butterfly sores,30 cases of yin-yang toxin and 43 cases of BI disease.The absolute number and percentage of CD8+T cells,interleukin-10(IL-10)content and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)content were different among the three groups of SLE patients diagnosed by different Chinese medicine,and the absolute number of CD8+T cells in the red butterfly sore group was significantly higher than that in the yin-yang toxicities group(P=0.039)and the disease group(P=0.008).CD8+T cell percentage in red butterfly sore group was significantly higher than that in yin-yang toxin group(P=0.014)and disease group(P=0.004),IL-10 and TNF-α levels in red butterfly sore group were significantly lower than those in disease group(P=0.015,P=0.036),and ROC curve analysis showed that,the absolute number and percentage of CD8+T cells can effectively distinguish red butterfly sores from yin-yang toxins(AUC=0.65,AUC=0.61,P<0.05),and the absolute number and percentage of CD8+T cells,IL-10 and TNF-α can effectively distinguish red butterfly sores from diseases(AUC=0.68,AUC=0.66,P<0.01,AUC=0.67,AUC=0.64,P<0.05).Conclusion Immune lymphocyte subtypes,cytokines,especially the absolute number and percentage of CD8+T cells,IL-10 and TNF-α may play an important role in the identification of different TCM diagnosis of SLE.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features，diagnosis，treatment and prognosis of children with juvenile dermatomyositis(JDM) complicated with interstitial lung disease(ILD).Methods:The clinical manifestations，laboratory examination，treatment and prognosis of 7 children with JDM-ILD who were hospitalized in the Department of Nephrology and Immunology，Women and Children's Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University from December 2019 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 7 cases，4 were male and 3 were female.The age of onset was 1.8-10.0 years（mean age 5.6 years），the occurrence time of pulmonary involvement was 0.6-4.0 months（mean time 2.0 months），and the follow-up time was 1.8-4.0 years.All the 7 cases had typical rash and different degrees of myasthenia.Four cases were accompanied by skin mucosal ulceration and 4 cases had fever during the course of the disease.Of the 7 cases，2 were accompanied by macrophage activation syndrome，and 1 of them had nervous system involvement，including convulsion and coma.All the children had increased creatase of varying degrees，and only 1 case had increased creatine kinase.Five cases had positive anti- melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5（MDA5）antibody and 4 cases had positive anti- Ro-52 antibody.Interleukin-6 was increased in 5 cases，interferon-γ was increased in 3 cases，and tumor necrosis factor-α was increased in 2 cases.Electromyography showed myogenic injury，MRI showed different degrees of myositis.Chest high-resolution CT showed ground glass shadow，rope shadow，consolidation shadow，pleural thickening，mesh shadow，etc.Four cases had limited lung function or mixed ventilation function restriction.All 7 cases received methylprednisolone pulse treatment combined with immunosuppressant treatment，and 5 cases received immunoglobulin treatment.Pulmonary lesions improved in 5 cases and partially improved in 1 case.One case died due to macrophage activation and multiple organ failure.Conclusion:The respiratory symptoms of JDM-ILD are obscure，and the incidence of ILD is high in children with anti-MDA5 antibody positive.High-resolution CT contributes to early diagnosis.Reasonable early application of glucocorticoid and immunosuppressants could improve the survival rate and quality of life.

[Objective] To explore the strategy of blood management in patients with massive transfusion in the frigid plateau region. [Methods] The treatment process of a patient with liver rupture in the frigid plateau region was analyzed, and the blood management strategy of the frigid plateau region was discussed in combination with the difficulties of blood transfusion and literature review. [Results] The preoperative complete blood count (CBC) test results of the patient were as follows: RBC 3.14×10¹²/L, Hb 10⁶ g/L, HCT 30.40%, PLT 115.00×10⁹/L; coagulation function: PT 18.9 s, FiB 1.31 g/L, DD > 6 μg/mL, FDP 25.86 μg/mL; ultrasound examination and imaging manifestations suggested liver contusion and laceration / intraparenchymal hematoma, splenic contusion and laceration, and massive blood accumulation in the abdominal cavity; it was estimated that the patient's blood loss was ≥ 2 000 mL, and massive blood transfusion was required during the operation; red blood cell components were timely transfused during the operation, and the blood component transfusion was guided according to the patient's CBC and coagulation function test results, providing strong support and guarantee for the successful treatment of the patient. The patient recovered well after the operation, and the CBC test results were as follows: RBC 4.32×10¹²/L, Hb 144 g/L, HCT 39.50%, PLT 329.00×10⁹/L; coagulation function: APTT 29.3 s, PT 12.1 s, FiB 2.728 g/L, DD>6 μg/mL, FDP 25.86 μg/mL. The patient was discharged after 20 days, and regular follow-up reexamination showed no abnormal results. [Conclusion] Individualized blood management strategy should comprehensively consider the patient’s clinical symptoms, the degree of hemoglobin decline, dynamic coagulation test results and existing treatment conditions. Efficient and reasonable patient blood management strategies can effectively improve the clinical outcomes of massive transfusion patients in the frigid plateau region.

It is believed that wind pathogen lingering in the lungs is the key factor in the pathogenesis of cough variant asthma. Among these， external wind-induced cough is the main trigger， while internal wind hidden in the lung plays an important role in promoting the disease. Weakness of the zang-fu organs is the fundamental cause of recurrent attacks， especially closely related to deficiencies in the lungs， spleen and kidneys. The primary treatment principles proposed are dispelling wind and relieving cough， as well as tonifying deficiency and supporting the upright qi. Clinical practice should integrate differentiation of the root and branch as well as excess and deficiency， applying staged treatment. During the acute attack phase， the focus is on dispelling wind and stopping cough， supplemented by tonification. During the remission phase， tonifying deficiency and supporting the upright qi is emphasized， with coordinated regulation of the lungs， spleen and kidneys alongside clearing residual pathogens， so that the pathogenic are eliminated and the body restored， leading to natural resolution of cough and reversal of adverse qi flow.

The prevalence of Class III malocclusion varies among different countries and regions. The populations from Southeast Asian countries (Chinese and Malaysian) showed the highest prevalence rate of 15.8%, which can seriously affect oral function, facial appearance, and mental health. As anterior crossbite tends to worsen with growth, early orthodontic treatment can harness growth potential to normalize maxillofacial development or reduce skeletal malformation severity, thereby reducing the difficulty and shortening the treatment cycle of later-stage treatment. This is beneficial for the physical and mental growth of children. Therefore, early orthodontic treatment for Class III malocclusion is particularly important. Determining the optimal timing for early orthodontic treatment requires a comprehensive assessment of clinical manifestations, dental age, and skeletal age, and can lead to better results with less effort. Currently, standardized treatment guidelines for early orthodontic treatment of Class III malocclusion are lacking. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the etiology, clinical manifestations, classification, and early orthodontic techniques for Class III malocclusion, along with systematic discussions on selecting early treatment plans. The purpose of this expert consensus is to standardize clinical practices and improve the treatment outcomes of Class III malocclusion through early orthodontic treatment.
Humans ; Malocclusion, Angle Class III/classification* ; Orthodontics, Corrective/methods* ; Consensus ; Child