Objective To assess the effects of “dual low” scanning technology in conjunction with an individualized injection protocol in enhancing the quality of abdominal contrast-enhanced CT images. Methods A total of 200 patients who underwent abdominal contrast-enhanced CT examinations at the Hainan Western Central Hospital between January 2022 and January 2024 were selected for the study. Using a random number table, participants were randomly assigned to either a control group (n = 100, sub-hypertonic contrast agent + conventional tube voltage + individualized injection protocol) or an observation group (n = 100, isotonic contrast agent + tube voltage of 100 kV + individualized injection protocol). The study compared the impact of these two methodologies on the quality of abdominal contrast-enhanced CT images. Results During the arterial phase, the CT value of the abdominal aorta was significantly higher in the observation group than that in the control group (P < 0.05), suggesting that isotonic contrast agent and low tube voltage more effectively enhanced vascular signal. During the portal vein phase, the CT value was higher and the liver parenchymal noise was lower in the observation group those in the control group (P < 0.05), further validating the advantages of the “dual low” approach during the portal venous phase. The radiation dose was significantly lower in the observation group than that in the control group (P < 0.05), indicating that the “dual low” protocol effectively reduced radiation dose while enhancing patient safety. During the arterial phase, both the abdominal aorta noise and liver parenchymal noise were lower in the observation group than those in the control group (P < 0.05), demonstrating that the “dual low” strategy effectively reduced image noise and enhanced image clarity. The image quality scores were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05), indicating that high image quality could be achieved even at reduced radiation doses and contrast agent concentrations. Conclusion The “dual low” scanning technology, combined with an individualized injection protocol, not only effectively enhances the contrast of arteries and veins, reduces image noise, and improves the overall image quality, but also decreases radiation dose and enhances patient safety. Therefore, this technology is worth being widely promoted.

The reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint presents a multifaceted clinical challenge in the realm of head and neck surgery, underscored by its relatively infrequent occurrence and the lack of comprehensive clinical guidelines. This review aims to elucidate the available approaches for TMJ reconstruction, with a particular emphasis on recent groundbreaking advancements. The current spectrum of TMJ reconstruction integrates diverse surgical techniques, such as costochondral grafting, coronoid process grafting, revascularized fibula transfer, transport distraction osteogenesis, and alloplastic TMJ replacement. Despite the available options, a singular, universally accepted 'gold standard' for reconstructive techniques or materials remains elusive in this field. Our review comprehensively summarizes the current available methods of TMJ reconstruction, focusing on both autologous and alloplastic prostheses. It delves into the differences of each surgical technique and outlines the implications of recent technological advances, such as 3D printing, which hold the promise of enhancing surgical precision and patient outcomes. This evolutionary progress aims not only to improve the immediate results of reconstruction but also to ensure the long-term health and functionality of the TMJ, thereby improving the quality of life for patients with end-stage TMJ disorders.
Humans ; Temporomandibular Joint/surgery* ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/surgery* ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Arthroplasty, Replacement/methods* ; Joint Prosthesis ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods*

With the growing emphasis on maternal and child oral health, the significance of managing oral health across preconception, pregnancy, and infancy stages has become increasingly apparent. Oral health challenges extend beyond affecting maternal well-being, exerting profound influences on fetal and neonatal oral development as well as immune system maturation. This expert consensus paper, developed using a modified Delphi method, reviews current research and provides recommendations on maternal and child oral health management. It underscores the critical role of comprehensive oral assessments prior to conception, diligent oral health management throughout pregnancy, and meticulous oral hygiene practices during infancy. Effective strategies should be seamlessly integrated across the life course, encompassing preconception oral assessments, systematic dental care during pregnancy, and routine infant oral hygiene. Collaborative efforts among pediatric dentists, maternal and child health workers, and obstetricians are crucial to improving outcomes and fostering clinical research, contributing to evidence-based health management strategies.
Humans ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Infant ; Consensus ; Mouth Diseases/therapy* ; Pregnancy Complications/therapy* ; Oral Health ; Infant, Newborn ; Delphi Technique ; Oral Hygiene

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of critical care warning platform (CWP) on clinical outcomes of patients transferred from internal medical ward to intensive care unit (ICU) based on real-world data. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. The patients transferred from internal medical ward to ICU of Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, between January 2022 and October 2024, were enrolled. They were divided into critical care warning group and conventional treatment group based on whether they were connected to the CWP. The patients in the critical care warning group were connected to the CWP, which collected real-time vital signs and treatment data. The platform automatically calculated severity scores, generated individualized risk assessments, and triggered warning alerts, allowing clinicians to adjust treatment plans accordingly. The patients in the conventional treatment group were not connected to the CWP and relied on conventional clinical judgment and nursing measures for treatment management. Baseline characteristics [gender, age, body mass index (BMI), admission type, severity score of illness, underlying diseases, and disease type at ICU admission], primary clinical outcome (in-hospital mortality), and secondary clinical outcomes [ICU mortality, length of ICU stay, total length of hospital stay, and mechanical ventilation and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) status] were collected. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of CWP on in-hospital death, and subgroup analyses were performed based on different patient characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 1 281 patients were enrolled, with 768 in the critical care warning group and 513 in the conventional treatment group. Compared with the conventional treatment group, the proportion of patients in the critical care warning group with underlying diseases of diabetes and malignancy and transferred to ICU due to sepsis was lowered, however, there were no statistically significant differences in other baseline characteristics between the two groups. Regarding the primary clinical outcome, the in-hospital mortality in the critical care warning group was significantly lower than that in the conventional treatment group [17.6% (135/768) vs. 25.7% (132/513), P < 0.01]. For secondary clinical outcomes, compared with the conventional treatment group, the patients in the critical care warning group had significantly fewer days of mechanical ventilation within 28 days [days: 2 (1, 6) vs. 2 (1, 8), P < 0.05], significantly shorter length of ICU stay [days: 3 (2, 8) vs. 4 (2, 10), P < 0.01], and significantly lower ICU mortality [15.1% (116/768) vs. 21.4% (110/513), P < 0.01]. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for age and underlying diseases, the use of CWP was significantly associated with a reduction of in-hospital mortality among patients transferred from internal medical ward to ICU [odds ratio (OR) = 0.670, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.502-0.894, P = 0.006]. Further subgroup analysis revealed that, among patients transferred to ICU due to sepsis, the use of CWP significantly reduced in-hospital mortality (OR = 0.514, 95%CI was 0.367-0.722, P < 0.001). In patients aged ≥ 70 years old (OR = 0.587, 95%CI was 0.415-0.831, P = 0.003) and those with underlying diseases of malignancy (OR = 0.124, 95%CI was 0.046-0.330, P < 0.001), CWP also showed significant protective effects on in-hospital prognosis. CONCLUSION The use of CWP is significantly associated with a reduction in in-hospital mortality among patients transferred from internal medical ward to ICU, demonstrating its potential in assessing the deterioration of hospitalized patients.
Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Retrospective Studies ; Hospital Mortality ; Prognosis ; Critical Care ; Male ; Female ; Patient Transfer ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Cohort Studies

ObjectiveTo investigate the main risk factors for liver cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B （CHB） patients with high metabolic risk， to establish a noninvasive predictive model， and to compare the diagnostic efficiency of this model and other models including fibrosis-4 （FIB-4）， aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index （APRI）， gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio （GPR）， and Forns index. MethodsA total of 527 CHB patients with high metabolic risks who were admitted to The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from September 1， 2017 to October 31， 2022 were enrolled as subjects， and they were randomly divided into modeling group with 368 patients and validation group with 159 patients at a ratio of 7∶3. The LASSO regression analysis and the multivariate Logistic regression analysis were performed for the modeling group to identify independent risk factors， and a nomogram model was established. The receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve， the calibration curve， and the decision curve analysis were used to validate the nomogram prediction model in the modeling group and the validation group and assess its discriminatory ability， calibration， and clinical practicability. The Delong test was used to compare the area under the ROC curve （AUC） of the nomogram prediction model and other models. ResultsThe multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that prealbumin （odds ratio ［OR］ = 0.993， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 0.988 — 0.999， P= 0.019）， thrombin time （OR=1.182， 95% CI： 1.006 — 1.385， P=0.047）， log₁₀ total bilirubin （TBil） （OR=1.710， 95%CI： 1.239 — 2.419， P=0.001）， and log₁₀ alpha-fetoprotein （AFP） （OR=1.327， 95%CI： 1.052 — 1.683， P=0.018） were independent influencing factors for liver cirrhosis in CHB patients with high metabolic risks. A nomogram model for risk prediction was established based on the multivariate analysis， which had an AUC of 0.837 （95%CI： 0.788 — 0.888）， a specificity of 73.5%， and a sensitivity of 84.7%， as well as a significantly higher diagnostic efficiency than the models of FIB-4 （0.739）， APRI （0.802）， GPR （0.800）， and Forns index （0.709） （Z=2.815， 2.271， 1.989， and 2.722， P=0.005， 0.017， 0.045， and 0.006）. ConclusionThe nomogram model established based on prealbumin， thrombin time， log₁₀ TBil， and log₁₀ AFP has a certain clinical application value.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion (ex20ins) mutation is a rare subtype of mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with advanced NSCLC carrying the EGFR ex20ins mutation tend to have poor responses to traditional EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, leading to a poor clinical prognosis. Significant progress has been made in the development of new drugs targeting the EGFR ex20ins mutation. The research on new drugs targeting EGFR ex20ins mutations has made significant progress. The main ones include new EGFR-TKIs (such as sunvozertinib, mobocertinib, and furmetinib, etc.), bispecific antibodies (such as amivantamab, JMT101, and GB263T, etc.), and emerging drugs such as AUY922. These agents have demonstrated promising efficacy in clinical trials, improving the objective response rate and progression-free survival of patients, and are expected to improve overall survival. An in-depth analysis of the mechanism of action and clinical trial progress of these novel targeted drugs for EGFR ex20ins-mutated NSCLC can offer new therapeutic strategies for patients with EGFR ex20ins-mutated NSCLC.

This article summarizes Academician WANG Yongyan′s experience in the differentiation and treatment of motor neuron disease, which can be categorized into flaccidity syndrome, convulsive syndrome, and fei syndrome according to the clinical manifestations. These three syndromes may coexist, and the condition progressively worsens over time, which is believed to be caused by external pathogenic qi, based on "deficient-qi induced stagnation" , and with "toxins damaging collaterals" as the core etiology and pathogenesis. "Toxins damaging collaterals" involves three levels of qi collaterals, blood collaterals, and fluid collaterals, gradually overlapping and affecting the marrow collaterals. Academician WANG Yongyan′s theory is based on syndrome differentiation, breaking down the boundaries of flaccidity, convulsive, and fei syndromes according to different manifestations of the disease, and using the concept of "combined treatment" for treatment. The clinical presentation of motor neuron disease shows a bottom-up trend in the development of the sanjiao, and the combination of visceral syndrome differentiation and sanjiao syndrome differentiation can grasp the progress of the disease comprehensively. During the process of syndrome differentiation, the focus is on the use of xiang thinking, emphasizing the holistic correlation between diseases and syndromes and the integrated effect of reductionist analysis. Treatment is based on xiang differentiation and individualized treatment. The mid-stage of motor neuron disease is the key time point for the treatment of this disease. Based on the clinical symptoms of flaccidity, convulsive, and fei syndromes, where treatment should focus on reinforcing the spleen and kidney, combining moxibustion with herbal medicine. While targeting the disease, treatment should comprehensively apply the methods of "promoting, supplementing, softening, and warming" to eliminate toxins and unblock collaterals, and restore the neural regulation of the brain and spinal cord.

Mandibular angle plasty aims to improve the lower facial contour through procedures such as masseter muscle resection, ostectomy in the mandibular angle area, and external cortex bone grinding. This surgery primarily addresses hypertrophic masseter muscle correction and hypertrophic mandibular angle bone correction. The procedure has evolved from modifications of mandibular angle osteotomy to advancements in digital surgical design, gradually integrating with zygomatic arch plasty and genioplasty to achieve more harmonious facial proportions. This paper systematically elaborated on the surgical design and clinical application of mandibular angle plasty, discussed its indications, summarized developmental trends, and proposed prospects for future advancements.

Objective:To explore the antipyretic effect and partial mechanism of the pushing Tianheshui manipulation on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced fever in young New Zealand rabbits. Methods:Thirty 50-day-old New Zealand rabbits were randomly assigned to five groups,including a normal group,a model group,a Tuina(Chinese therapeutic massage)group,a Tuina control group,and a drug group,with 6 rabbits in each group.All groups except for the normal group received LPS injections through the marginal ear vein to induce fever.One hour post-modeling,the Tuina and Tuina control groups received pushing Tianheshui manipulation and pushing manipulation on the medial middle of the hind limbs,respectively,administered every hour for a total of 3 interventions.The drug group was given acetaminophen oral liquid via gavage.Anal temperature was recorded every 30 min for 4.0 h to monitor temperature changes among groups.At 4.0 h post-modeling,hypothalamus samples from each group were analyzed using Western blotting(WB)and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)to measure the relative expression levels of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone(α-MSH),melanocortin 4 receptor(MC4R),cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP),protein kinase A(PKA),nuclear factor-κB p65(NF-κB p65),and interleukin(IL)-1β proteins and their mRNAs. Results:Compared to the model group,the Tuina group showed a significant reduction in the anal temperature from 3.5 h to 4.0 h post-modeling(P<0.05).The Tuina control group did not show a significant temperature reduction from 0.5 h to 4.0 h post-modeling(P>0.05).The drug group exhibited a significant temperature reduction from 1.5 h to 4.0 h post-modeling(P<0.05).At 4.0 h post-modeling,compared to the model group,the Tuina group showed significantly increased relative expression of α-MSH and MC4R proteins and mRNAs(P<0.05)and significantly decreased relative expression of cAMP,PKA,NF-κB p65,and IL-1β proteins and mRNAs in the hypothalamus tissue(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed in these parameters in the Tuina control group compared to the model group(P>0.05). Conclusion:Pushing Tianheshui manipulation demonstrated a significant antipyretic effect,potentially linked to point specificity.Its mechanism may involve the α-MSH-mediated cAMP/PKA/NF-κB pathway.

Mandibular angle plasty aims to improve the lower facial contour through procedures such as masseter muscle resection, ostectomy in the mandibular angle area, and external cortex bone grinding. This surgery primarily addresses hypertrophic masseter muscle correction and hypertrophic mandibular angle bone correction. The procedure has evolved from modifications of mandibular angle osteotomy to advancements in digital surgical design, gradually integrating with zygomatic arch plasty and genioplasty to achieve more harmonious facial proportions. This paper systematically elaborated on the surgical design and clinical application of mandibular angle plasty, discussed its indications, summarized developmental trends, and proposed prospects for future advancements.