“Integrated elderly care and medical services” is a new model of elderly care that relies on medical care as a guarantee， rehabilitation as a support， and combines ongoing medical treatment with nurturing， offering comprehensive therapy. This new type of elderly care model also poses new job requirements for elderly care workers. However， there is currently a large shortage of elderly care workers， along with prevalent issues such as low professional quality， low education level， and an older average age. The main reasons for this situation are low welfare benefits， low social status， and an incomplete promotion system in the industry， resulting in low social recognition of the industry， a shortage of employees， and a high number of resignations. Based on this， it is suggested to expand the number of the elderly care team and enhance the quality of the elderly care team by improving the career development system， increasing salary and welfare benefits， and expanding social recognition.

BackgroundDementia seriously affects the quality of life and lifespan of elderly people， with Alzheimer's disease （AD） being the most common type of dementia. Previous studies have suggested that gout may reduce the risk of developing AD， but the causal relationship between the two still requires further research. ObjectiveTo investigate the potential causal relationship between gout and AD through a two-sample Mendelian randomization （MR） analysis， so as to provide references for the prevention and treatment of AD. MethodsData from Genome-Wide Association Studies （GWAS） extracted in 2024 were analyzed， using pooled data on gout （6 810 cases in the case group and 477 788 cases in the control group） published by UK Biobank in 2021 as the exposure variable， and data on AD （3 899 cases in the case group and 214 893 cases in the control group） published by FinnGen in the same year as the outcome variable. The inverse-variance weighted， MR-Egger regression， weighted median estimation， simple model and weighted model were used to analyze the potential causal relationship between gout and AD. Pleiotropic effects were assessed using MR-Egger regression. Heterogeneity assessment was conducted using Cochran's Q test. The leave-one-out analysis was carried out for sensitivity analysis. And a funnel plot was drawn to detect potential publication bias. ResultsThe inverse-variance weighted analysis demonstrated a negative causal relationship between gout and AD （OR=0.004， 95% CI： 0~0.700， P<0.05）. The plot resembled a symmetrical inversed funnel， indicating the absence of publication bias. No heterogeneity was detected by Cochran's Q test. The MR-Egger regression indicated no significant horizontal pleiotropy. Concerning the reverse directions， no significant associations between AD and gout were noted. ConclusionThere is a negative causal relationship between gout and AD， with gout potentially reducing the risk of developing AD. ［Funded by The Third Batch of Social Welfare and Basic Research Projects （Medical and Health） of Zhongshan City in 2022 （number， 2022B3017）］

Objective: To retrospectively compare the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with parotidectomy for superficial pleomorphic adenoma (PA). Materials and Methods: From March 2022 to October 2023, 88 patients diagnosed with superficial parotid PA underwent either RFA (n = 12; mean age, 47.1 years) or parotidectomy (n = 76; mean age, 47.8 years). Patients in the RFA group were matched to those in the surgery group in a 1:1 ratio using propensity scores based on age, sex, tumor volume, diameter, location, and comorbidities. Ultrasound characteristics, cosmetic scores (0–4), numerical rating scale scores (0–10), and complications were assessed before the procedures and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. Outcomes were compared between baseline and follow-up in the RFA group and between the RFA and surgery groups. Results: In the RFA group, significant reductions in tumor volume were observed between baseline (median, 2.02 cm 3 ) and the 1-month follow-up (median, 1.21 cm 3 ; P = 0.015), between the 1-month and 3-month follow-ups (median, 0.53 cm 3 ; P= 0.002), and between the 3- and 6-month follow-ups (median, 0.23 cm 3 ; P = 0.003). The volume reduction ratios at 1, 3, and 6 months were 39.7%, 79.9%, and 88.0%, respectively. The cosmetic score was significantly lower at 3- and 6-month followup compared to baseline (median 1 and 1 vs. 4, P = 0.04). The numerical rating scale scores did not differ significantly from baseline throughout follow-up. In the propensity score-matched analysis (12 patients per group), RFA was associated with a shorter median procedure time (61.5 vs. 253.3 minutes; P < 0.001), shorter hospital stay (0 vs. 4 days; P < 0.001), and lower cost (1859.9 vs. 3512.4 USD; P < 0.001) than parotidectomy, with no significant difference in overall complication rates (33.3% [4/12] vs. 41.7% [5/12]; P = 1.000). Conclusion RFA may be a safe and effective alternative to surgery for superficial parotid PA, offering a shorter median procedure time, shorter hospital stay, and lower costs.

This narrative review examines the challenges, strategies, and future directions in the development of young teachers within the pathophysiology departments of Chinese medical colleges. A thorough review of 49 studies published between 2013 and 2024 was carried out using PubMed, Web of Science, and various Chinese databases. The primary challenges identified include teaching innovation (cited in 84.2% of the studies), research pressure (91.2%), disciplinary characteristics (87.7%), and career development (80.7%). Medical schools have responded by enhancing training systems (94.7%), innovating teaching methods (93.0%), and bolstering research support (96.5%). Looking ahead, trends are shifting toward the application of new technologies, interdisciplinary integration, and international collaboration. The focus on cultivating young teachers is increasingly geared towards personalization and diversification, which are essential for advancing education in pathophysiology. High-quality young teachers are pivotal in raising teaching standards, fostering research innovation, and facilitating interdisciplinary exchanges. Based on these insights, we recommend several practical measures to enhance the quality of pathophysiology education in China. These include establishing comprehensive training programs that integrate teaching innovation and research skills; developing structured mentorship systems with clear pathways for career advancement; creating platforms that support technology-enhanced teaching and international collaboration; and implementing systematic evaluation mechanisms to assess teaching effectiveness. These targeted interventions will require a coordinated effort from department heads, educational institutions, and policymakers to ensure a sustained improvement in the quality of pathophysiology education.

Background/Aims: Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood. Methods: In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches. Results: DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusions DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.

BACKGROUND:With the development of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing technology,zirconia abutments with a titanium base are widely used in clinic due to its good application advantages,but there are still some problems and a lack of consensus design standards. OBJECTIVE:To review the fabrication methods of Ti-base zirconia abutment,and the effect of abutment connection,emergence design,abutment angle,and bonding on mechanical properties of Ti-base zirconia abutment. METHODS:Relevant literature published from 2010 to 2023 was searched in CNKI and PubMed databases with the search terms"zirconia abutment,titanium base"in Chinese and English,respectively.The search time limit was extended for some classical literature.The relevant literature was obtained through inclusion and exclusion criteria,and 57 eligible documents were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:It is recommended that clinicians try to select antirotational titanium bases or rotational titanium bases with a Morse taper connection.Implants should be placed in the correct axial angulation of not more than 15° or with an inclination to the palatal side when using angled zirconia abutments.When a≥30° labial inclination is followed for implant placement,the bite force must be decreased effectively to reduce the risk of mechanical and biological complications of implants,abutments,and prostheses.Ti-base zirconia abutments with a higher gingival height should be selected,and its restorative angle should not exceed 40°.Multilink Hybrid Abutment could be the first choice for extraoral bonding of zirconia abutment to titanium bases.

Metabolites produced as intermediaries or end-products of microbial metabolism provide crucial signals for health and diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). These metabolites include products of the bacterial metabolism of dietary substrates, modification of host molecules (such as bile acids [BAs], trimethylamine-N-oxide, and short-chain fatty acids), or products directly derived from bacteria. Recent studies have provided new insights into the association between MASLD and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, alterations in microbiota composition and metabolite profiles, notably altered BAs, have been described in studies investigating the association between MASLD and the risk of CKD. This narrative review discusses alterations of specific classes of metabolites, BAs, fructose, vitamin D, and microbiota composition that may be implicated in the link between MASLD and CKD.

Metabolites produced as intermediaries or end-products of microbial metabolism provide crucial signals for health and diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). These metabolites include products of the bacterial metabolism of dietary substrates, modification of host molecules (such as bile acids [BAs], trimethylamine-N-oxide, and short-chain fatty acids), or products directly derived from bacteria. Recent studies have provided new insights into the association between MASLD and the risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, alterations in microbiota composition and metabolite profiles, notably altered BAs, have been described in studies investigating the association between MASLD and the risk of CKD. This narrative review discusses alterations of specific classes of metabolites, BAs, fructose, vitamin D, and microbiota composition that may be implicated in the link between MASLD and CKD.

Objective: To retrospectively compare the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with parotidectomy for superficial pleomorphic adenoma (PA). Materials and Methods: From March 2022 to October 2023, 88 patients diagnosed with superficial parotid PA underwent either RFA (n = 12; mean age, 47.1 years) or parotidectomy (n = 76; mean age, 47.8 years). Patients in the RFA group were matched to those in the surgery group in a 1:1 ratio using propensity scores based on age, sex, tumor volume, diameter, location, and comorbidities. Ultrasound characteristics, cosmetic scores (0–4), numerical rating scale scores (0–10), and complications were assessed before the procedures and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. Outcomes were compared between baseline and follow-up in the RFA group and between the RFA and surgery groups. Results: In the RFA group, significant reductions in tumor volume were observed between baseline (median, 2.02 cm 3 ) and the 1-month follow-up (median, 1.21 cm 3 ; P = 0.015), between the 1-month and 3-month follow-ups (median, 0.53 cm 3 ; P= 0.002), and between the 3- and 6-month follow-ups (median, 0.23 cm 3 ; P = 0.003). The volume reduction ratios at 1, 3, and 6 months were 39.7%, 79.9%, and 88.0%, respectively. The cosmetic score was significantly lower at 3- and 6-month followup compared to baseline (median 1 and 1 vs. 4, P = 0.04). The numerical rating scale scores did not differ significantly from baseline throughout follow-up. In the propensity score-matched analysis (12 patients per group), RFA was associated with a shorter median procedure time (61.5 vs. 253.3 minutes; P < 0.001), shorter hospital stay (0 vs. 4 days; P < 0.001), and lower cost (1859.9 vs. 3512.4 USD; P < 0.001) than parotidectomy, with no significant difference in overall complication rates (33.3% [4/12] vs. 41.7% [5/12]; P = 1.000). Conclusion RFA may be a safe and effective alternative to surgery for superficial parotid PA, offering a shorter median procedure time, shorter hospital stay, and lower costs.

This narrative review examines the challenges, strategies, and future directions in the development of young teachers within the pathophysiology departments of Chinese medical colleges. A thorough review of 49 studies published between 2013 and 2024 was carried out using PubMed, Web of Science, and various Chinese databases. The primary challenges identified include teaching innovation (cited in 84.2% of the studies), research pressure (91.2%), disciplinary characteristics (87.7%), and career development (80.7%). Medical schools have responded by enhancing training systems (94.7%), innovating teaching methods (93.0%), and bolstering research support (96.5%). Looking ahead, trends are shifting toward the application of new technologies, interdisciplinary integration, and international collaboration. The focus on cultivating young teachers is increasingly geared towards personalization and diversification, which are essential for advancing education in pathophysiology. High-quality young teachers are pivotal in raising teaching standards, fostering research innovation, and facilitating interdisciplinary exchanges. Based on these insights, we recommend several practical measures to enhance the quality of pathophysiology education in China. These include establishing comprehensive training programs that integrate teaching innovation and research skills; developing structured mentorship systems with clear pathways for career advancement; creating platforms that support technology-enhanced teaching and international collaboration; and implementing systematic evaluation mechanisms to assess teaching effectiveness. These targeted interventions will require a coordinated effort from department heads, educational institutions, and policymakers to ensure a sustained improvement in the quality of pathophysiology education.