In recent years， diabetic nephropathy （DN） has become an increasingly serious health challenge worldwide， and its morbidity and mortality rates are rapidly increasing. The patients suffering from the disease tend to be younger. DN is not only accompanied by a wide range of renal pathological changes， such as renal hypertrophy， inflammatory cell infiltration， expansion of the tethered membrane stroma， and thickening of the basement membrane but is also the main cause of end-stage renal disease and death in patients with diabetes mellitus. Therefore， it is particularly urgent to explore new strategies for the prevention and treatment of DN. The pathogenesis of DN is intricate and complex， with current research focusing on multifactorial interactions between metabolic and hemodynamic factors， such as hypoxia， inflammatory responses， and fibrotic processes. Notably， hypoxia plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of DN. Hypoxia-inducible factor （HIF-1α）， as a key regulatory protein commonly found in hypoxic cells， has a profound impact on various physiological and pathological processes， such as cell metabolism， vascular neogenesis， oxidative stress， and apoptosis. With its unique theoretical system and therapeutic approach， traditional Chinese medicine has demonstrated significant advantages in coping with hypoxic diseases and can slow down the progression of DN by regulating the expression level of HIF-1α and its downstream signaling molecules and exerting anti-inflammatory， antioxidant， and antifibrotic effects， which has positive clinical significance for drug development and early prevention and treatment of DN.

This study aims to investigate the antipyretic effects and mechanisms of ethanol extracts from Arisaematis Rhizoma fermented with bile from different sources on a rat model of fever induced by a dry-yeast suspension. The rat model of fever was established by subcutaneous injection of 20% dry-yeast suspension into the rat back. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6) in the serum, as well as prostaglandin E_2(PGE_2) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) in the hypothalamus, were determined by ELISA. Metabolomics analysis was then performed on serum and hypothalamus samples based on UPLC-Q-TOF MS to explore the potential biomarkers and metabolic pathways. The results showed that the body temperatures of rats significantly rose 4 h after modeling. After oral administration of high-dose ethanol extracts of Arisaematis Rhizoma fermented with bovine bile(NCH) and porcine bile(ZCH), the body temperatures of rats declined(P<0.05), and the NCH group showed better antipyretic effect than the ZCH group. Additionally, compared with the model group, the NCH and ZCH groups showed lowered levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, PGE_2, and cAMP(P<0.01). The results of serum and hypothalamus metabolomics analysis indicated that both NCH and ZCH exerted antipyretic effects by regulating phenylalanine metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Collectively, both NCH and ZCH can play an obvious antipyretic role in the rat model of dry yeast-induced fever, and the underlying mechanism might be closely associated with inhibiting inflammation and regulating metabolic disorders. Moreover, NCH demonstrates better antipyretic effect.
Animals ; Rats ; Male ; Fermentation ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhizome/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Bile/chemistry* ; Antipyretics/chemistry* ; Fever/metabolism* ; Cattle ; Swine ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Ethanol/chemistry* ; Interleukin-6/blood* ; Interleukin-1beta/blood*

Based on the high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia rat model, this study aimed to evaluate the lipid-lowering effect of Arisaema Cum Bile and explore its mechanisms, providing experimental evidence for its clinical application. Biochemical analysis was used to detect serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), triglycerides(TG), and total cholesterol(TC) to assess the lipid-lowering activity of Arisaema Cum Bile. Additionally, 16S rDNA sequencing and metabolomics techniques were employed to jointly elucidate the lipid-lowering mechanisms of Arisaema Cum Bile. The experimental results showed that high-dose Arisaema Cum Bile(PBA-H) significantly reduced serum ALT, AST, LDL-C, TG, and TC levels(P<0.01), and significantly increased HDL-C levels(P<0.01). The effect was similar to that of fenofibrate, with no significant difference. Furthermore, Arisaema Cum Bile significantly alleviated hepatocyte ballooning and mitigated fatty degeneration in liver tissues. As indicated by 16S rDNA sequencing results, PBA-H significantly enhanced both alpha and beta diversity of the gut microbiota in the model rats, notably increasing the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Subdoligranulum species(P<0.01). Liver metabolomics analysis revealed that PBA-H primarily regulated pathways involved in arachidonic acid metabolism, vitamin B_6 metabolism, and steroid biosynthesis. In summary, Arisaema Cum Bile significantly improved abnormal blood lipid levels and liver pathology induced by a high-fat diet, regulated hepatic metabolic disorders, and improved the abundance and structural composition of gut microbiota, thereby exerting its lipid-lowering effect. The findings of this study provide experimental evidence for the clinical application of Arisaema Cum Bile and the treatment of hyperlipidemia.
Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats ; Male ; Metabolomics ; Hyperlipidemias/microbiology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Hypolipidemic Agents/pharmacology* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Humans ; Alanine Transaminase/metabolism* ; Triglycerides/metabolism* ; Aspartate Aminotransferases/metabolism*

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*

Enamel demineralization, the formation of white spot lesions, is a common issue in clinical orthodontic treatment. The appearance of white spot lesions not only affects the texture and health of dental hard tissues but also impacts the health and aesthetics of teeth after orthodontic treatment. The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of white spot lesions that occur throughout the orthodontic treatment process involve multiple dental specialties. This expert consensus will focus on providing guiding opinions on the management and prevention of white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment, advocating for proactive prevention, early detection, timely treatment, scientific follow-up, and multidisciplinary management of white spot lesions throughout the orthodontic process, thereby maintaining the dental health of patients during orthodontic treatment.
Humans ; Consensus ; Dental Caries/etiology* ; Dental Enamel/pathology* ; Tooth Demineralization/etiology* ; Tooth Remineralization

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 analyze the spatial distribution of Helicobacter Pylori (Hp) infection and its correlation with gastrointestinal tumors in the physical examination population of Xi'an city, and to provide reference for the prevention of gastrointestinal tumors in this area. Methods A total of 23 200 subjects who underwent physical examination in 25 public hospitals in Xi'an from January 2019 to January 2023 were selected as the research objects. The basic Information of the patients was derived through the Hospital Information System (HIS), and all subjects underwent 13C-breath test and gastroenterological endoscope. ArcGIS 10.6 software was used to draw a statistical map of Hp infection in Xi 'an for spatial autocorrelation analysis. Hp infection in patients with different gastrointestinal tumors was analyzed. Results In this study population, there were 10 858 cases of Hp infection , with an infection rate of 46.80% ; among them , 5 491 cases were male, with an infection rate of 46.60% , and 5,367 cases were female, with an infection rate of 47.01% , and there was no significant difference in the infection rate between genders (P>0.05). The prevalence of HP infection was higher in the 30-year-old and 20-year-old groups, 55.62% and 42.71%, respectively, and the infection rate showed a first increase and then a decreasing trend with age (χ²_trend = 6201.21, 6945.22 , P<0.001 ). The spatial distribution of Hp infection rate in the physical examination population of each administrative region county in Xi'an was globally spatially positively correlated, with spatial clustering (Moran's I=0.14, P=0.02). Local spatial autocorrelation showed that the five districts and counties presented high-high clustering. A total of 418 cases of gastrointestinal tumors were detected, with a detection rate of 1.80% , including 156 cases of gastric cancer , 85.90% of Hp infection rate, 106 cases of gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, 83.02% of Hp infection rate, 98 cases of colon cancer, 80.61% of Hp infection rate, 58 cases of rectal cancer, 84.48% of Hp infection rate, and the differences were statistically significant (χ²=13.49, 16.16, 17.27, 24.66, P<0.05 for all). Conclusion The distribution of Hp infection in the physical examination population of Xi'an city has the characteristics of spatial aggregation and is related to gastrointestinal tumor diseases. It is suggested to carry out Hp infection education for the population in key areas to prevent the occurrence of gastrointestinal tumor diseases.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between serum glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1c), γ-glutamyltranspeptidase(γ-GT) and intercellular adhesion factor-1 (ICAM-1) levels and cognitive impairment in elderly patients with hyperlipidemia complicated with cardiovascular disease. Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, 158 elderly patients who underwent examination and were diagnosed with hyperlipidemia complicated with cardiovascular disease at Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated with Capital Medical University from January to December 2022 were selected as study subjects. The simple mental state scale (MMSE) was assessed in the subjects in combination with the subject′s level of education. Illiteracy≤17 points, primary school≤20 points, middle school and above≤24 points were classified as cognitive impairment group (67 cases), the rest were were classified into the non-cognitive impairment group (91 cases); and another 50 healthy elderly people who received physical examination in the same period were selected as the control group. The blood samples in the three groups were extracted to measure serum HbA 1c, γ-GT and ICAM-1. The correlation between HbA 1c, γ-GT and ICAM-1 levels with cognitive impairment were analyzed. Results:The serum levels of HbA 1c, γ-GT and ICAM-1 in the cognitive impairment group were all significantly higher than those in the non-cognitive impairment group and the control group [5.41%±1.04% vs 4.82%±0.95%, 4.39%±0.86%; (52.01±10.96) vs (41.28±9.23), (25.03±7.17) U/L; (336.61±85.36) vs (286.93±72.53), (143.52±64.20) g/ml], and the MMSE score was significantly lower [(20.19±2.85) vs (25.30±1.24), (27.14±1.56) points] (all P<0.05). Serum levels of HbA 1c, γ-GT and ICAM-1 were all significantly negatively correlated with MMSE score ( r=-0.512, -0.498, -0.563) (all P<0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for serum HbA 1c, γ-GT, and ICAM-1 levels in the assessment of cognitive dysfunction were 0.657, 0.816, and 0.691, respectively (all P<0.05). The optimal cut-off values were 5.115%, 47.65 U/L, and 304.58 g/ml, respectively. Conclusion:Serum HbA 1c, γ-GT and ICAM-1 levels in elderly patients with hyperlipidemia complicated with cardiovascular disease are negatively correlated with cognitive impairment, and have certain value for the evaluation and early diagnosis of cognitive impairment.

Volume electron microscopy (vEM) imaging technology was rapidly developed in recent years. It has been the advanced technology to solve high-resolution three-dimensional structures of biological samples. Much wonderful work has revealed the fine structure and interactions of intracellular organelles, the ultrastructure of tissues, and even the three-dimensional structure of entire small biological organisms. With the continuous improvement of resolution, scale and throughput, vEM is becoming more and more widely used in medicine, life sciences, clinical diagnostics and other fields. As a result, this technology has been rated by Nature as one of the seven most noteworthy frontier technologies to watch in 2023. However, the development and application of vEM-related technologies started late in China and need to be further promoted. We write this review to introduce all related vEM technologies, covering the development history of vEM, technology classification, sample preparation, data collection, image processing, etc., which is convenient for people in various fields to understand, learn, apply and further develop this technology.