ObjectiveDonkey hide is the sole legally designated raw material for the preparation of the traditional Chinese medicine Ejiao. The quality stability of donkey hide during preservation directly determines the efficacy and safety of Ejiao. This study focuses on the dynamic succession of microbial communities during the preservation of donkey hides from different origins, aiming to clarify the correlation between microbial biodiversity difference and the degradation profiles of hide collagen and critical biochemical components, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for developing targeted preservation strategies based on microbial regulation. MethodsDonkey hides originating from four different regions were subjected to an accelerated microbial aging assay to simulate the spoilage process. The microbial community succession was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing. Microstructure changes and pore structure characteristics were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry, respectively. Additionally, the content of major components, including lipids, proteins, and sugars were determined by biochemical methods. ResultsAfter 96 h of aging, the collagen fiber structure in Africa donkey hides (ADH) exhibited significant degradation and collapse, followed by Xinjiang donkey hides (XDH). Instead, the microstructure of Dong’e black donkey hides (DDH) and Peru donkey hides (PDH) remained relatively intact. The porosities of DDH, XDH, PDH, and ADH increased from 27.9%, 15.7%, 30.3%, and 46.2% to 36.5%, 52.6%, 42.8%, and 57.7%, respectively, during the aging process, which suggested that the originally compact fiber structure was disrupted by microbial aging. Fourier transform infrared spectrometer analysis revealed the amide bands in XDH exhibited relatively weak intensity, and no collagen amide I band was observed in ADH. Meanwhile, the lipid and protein contents decreased in all four types of donkey hides, indicating that these components served as the primary nutrient sources for the growth of microorganism. Notably, the most severe collagen degradation was observed in XDH and ADH. A substantial increase was detected in the total soluble sugar in PDH aging solution and hydroxyproline in the ADH aging solution, respectively. These results indicated that donkey hides exhibit distinct patterns of structural degradation and nutrient utilization. Furthermore, the viable cells number of donkey hides increased sharply after 48 h of aging. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the relative abundance of Euryarchaeota in ADH, PDH and XDH declining from initial 93.19%, 97.73% and 30.08% to 0.79%, 1.43% and 0.02% after 96 h, respectively. Conversely, a significantly increase was observed in the abundance of Bacillota, with a marked increase in ADH, peaking at 92.75%. Additionally, the abundance of Pseudomonadota in PDH increased from 0.10% to 87.84%, suggesting that Bacillota and Pseudomonadota may be key factors exacerbating donkey hide spoilage. Unlike the other three types of donkey hides, the dominant bacterial phylum in DDH shifted from Pseudomonadota to Bacteroidota, characterized by a substantial abundance increase of Bacteroidota from 0.13% to 44.22%. ConclusionRegional variation in origin significantly influence the microbial aging of donkey hides, leading to distinct patterns of structural deterioration and differential nutrient utilization. Therefore, implementing origin-specific preservation strategies, through the precisely controlling environmental factors to suppress harmful phyla such as Bacillota and Pseudomonadota, is crucial for enhancing the storage quality of donkey hides.

OBJECTIVE: Cigarette smoking exacerbates the progression of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The role of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in chronic lung diseases has gained attention; however, it remains unclear whether smoking-exacerbated lung damage in TB is associated with TLS. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of pulmonary TLS in smokers with TB and to explore the possible role of TLS in smoking-related lung injury in TB. METHODS: Lung tissues from 36 male patients (18 smokers and 18 non-smokers) who underwent surgical resection for pulmonary TB were included in this study. Pathological and immunohistological analyses were conducted to evaluate the quantity of TLS, and chest computed tomography (CT) was used to assess the severity of lung lesions. The correlation between the TLS quantity and TB lesion severity scores was analyzed. The immune cells and chemokines involved in TLS formation were also evaluated and compared between smokers and non-smokers. RESULTS: Smoker patients with TB had significantly higher TLS than non-smokers ( P < 0.001). The TLS quantity in both the lung parenchyma and peribronchial regions correlated with TB lesion severity on chest CT (parenchyma: r = 0.5767; peribronchial: r = 0.7373; both P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical analysis showed increased B cells, T cells, and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13) expression in smoker patients with TB ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Smoker TB patients exhibited increased pulmonary TLS, which was associated with exacerbated lung lesions on chest CT, suggesting that cigarette smoking may exacerbate lung damage by promoting TLS formation.
Humans ; Male ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/immunology* ; Middle Aged ; Tertiary Lymphoid Structures/pathology* ; Adult ; Lung/pathology* ; Smoking/adverse effects* ; Smokers ; Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective:To present a set of clinically representative quality assurance (QA) test cases for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRT) plans of multiple intracranial metastases, in order to assess the plan quality and machine execution capabilities.Methods:Based on the clinical characteristics of multiple brain metastases, four groups of test cases with three target volumes (TVs), six TVs, nine TVs, and TVs near organs at risk (OARs) were designed. For these cases, SRT plans were developed, and plan quality was assessed using metrics including the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group conformality index (RTOG CI), gradient index (GI), homogeneity index (HI), and the volume of normal brain tissue receiving a dose of 24 Gy ( V24 Gy), which was defined as the volume enclosed by the 24 Gy isodose line around the Brain-PTV ( V24 Gy of Brain-PTV). Verification plans were generated for each test case, including the verification of point doses, planar doses (PD), and SRS MapCHECK (SMC) semiconductor matrix planar doses. Compared with the calculated result of the treatment planning system (TPS), the criteria for the γ analysis of planar doses were set at 1 mm/2% and 2 mm/2%. Results:For the four groups of test cases, the mean CI, GI, HI, and V24 Gy of Brain-PTV were 1.04±0.03, 3.79±0.40, 0.73±0.01 and (7.46±3.80) cm 3, respectively. The mean deviations of the point doses were 0.88%±0.98%, 1.47%±0.79%, 1.52%± 0.76%, and 1.17% ± 0.38%, respectively. The mean γ passing rates of the single fields for PDs were greater than 98% at 2 mm/2% and exceeding 96% at 1 mm/2%, and the mean γ pass rates of the SMC semiconductor matrix for PDs were 97.75% ± 2.31% and 99.33% ± 0.62%, at 1 mm/2% and 2 mm/2% respectively. Conclusions:The proposed QA test cases for SRT of multiple intracranial metastases allow for the effective assessments of the plan quality and machine execution capabilities and, thus, can assist various centers in clinical applications.

Objective To observe the effects of Baishile Capsules on neonatal neuronal activity and synaptic plasticity in hippocampus of depression model rats;To explore its mechanism of antidepressant.Methods Totally 32 SD rats were randomly divided into blank group,model group,fluoxetine group(5.4 mg/kg)and Baishile Capsules group(2.88 g/kg),with 8 rats in each group.The depression rat model was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress and single cage feeding,and drugs were administered at the same time as modeling for 21 consecutive days.Forced swimming test and open field test were used to evaluate the depressive-like behavior of rats,Golgi staining was used to observe the synaptic morphology of hippocampal neurons,and immunofluorescence was used to detect the positive expressions of BrdU/GABA-B,BrdU/c-fos,BrdU/GAP-43,BrdU/MAP-2 and CXCR4 in hippocampal tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the immobility time of forced swimming experiment in the model group increased,and the horizontal and vertical time of open field experiment decreased significantly(P<0.01);the hippocampal neurons dendrites and dendritic spines atrophied,the density decreased,the branches became shorter,synaptic structure becomes blurred,and the longest and total lengths of synaptic branches significantly decreased(P<0.01);the positive expressions of GABA-B,c-fos,GAP-43 and MAP-2 proteins in hippocampal neonatal neurons decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the expression of CXCR4 in hippocampal tissue decreased significantly(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the immobility time of the forced swimming experiment in fluoxetine group and Baishile Capsules group significantly reduced,and the horizontal and vertical activity time of the open field experiment significantly increased(P<0.01);the number of dendritic spines in hippocampal neurons increased,synaptic damage improved,and the length of the longest and total branches of synapses significantly increased(P<0.01);the positive expressions of GABA-B,c-fos,GAP-43 and MAP-2 in hippocampal neonatal neurons significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the positive expression of CXCR4 in hippocampal tissue significantly increased(P<0.01).Conclusion Baishile Capsules can regulate hippocampal synaptic plasticity and nerve regeneration by improving the activity and function of hippocampal neonatal neurons in depression model rats,exerting antidepressant effects.

Objective:To investigate the incidence of mild cognitive impairment(MCI)and malnutrition among centenarians, as well as to explore the relationship between cognitive impairment and nutritional status.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted between November and December 2023, involving 121 elderly individuals aged ≥ 100 years in the Baoshan District of Shanghai.The survey collected general information and included the Ascertain Dementia 8-item Questionnaire(AD8), the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form(MNA-SF), and anthropometric nutritional measurements such as waist circumference(WC), hip circumference(HC), arm circumference(AC), calf circumference(CC), and grip strength.The prevalence of MCI and malnutrition among centenarians was calculated, and the correlation between MCI and MNA-SF scores, along with anthropometric nutritional measurement indicators, was analyzed.Results:The age range of centenarians was between 100 and 105 years, with an average age of 101.0±3.5 years.The majority of centenarians were female(76.9%), illiterate(58.7%), and lived with family members(73.6%).All participants had medical insurance(100%).Most had no history of long-term smoking 118(97.5%), long-term alcohol consumption 108(89.3%), long-term use of health supplements 109(90.1%), long-term tea or coffee habits 114(94.2%), chronic medical conditions 84(69.4%), or family history of dementia 102(84.3%).Additionally, 62(51.2%)reported their health status over the past year as general.According to the AD8 screening results, the negative and positive detection rates of MCI in centenarians were 79(65.3%)and 47(34.7%), respectively.Based on the MNA-SF scoring results, the detection rates of normal nutrition, malnutrition risk, and malnutrition among centenarians were 36(29.8%), 61(50.4%), and 24(19.8%), respectively.There was a statistically significant difference in AC between the non-MCI group and the MCI group among centenarians( t=0.01, P=0.03).The AD8 scores of centenarians were significantly negatively correlated with AC, CC, and MNA-SF scores( r=-0.20, r=-0.26, r=-0.29; all P<0.05). Conclusions:The cognitive function of centenarians is associated with their nutritional status, indicating that higher cognitive abilities correlate with better nutritional status.

Objective:This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients newly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who were admitted to the hematology intensive care unit (HCU) with critical illness. It also examined factors associated with critical illness and early mortality in these patients.Methods:Clinical data were collected from 91 newly diagnosed AML patients admitted to the HCU of the Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, from October 2020 to 2024. Reasons for HCU admission, major therapeutic interventions, and risk factors for critical illness and early mortality were analyzed.Results:The median time from diagnosis to HCU admission was 3 days ( IQR: 3–9 days), and the median HCU stay was 10 days ( IQR: 3–23 days). Of the 91 patients, 71 were admitted to the HCU before induction chemotherapy, while 20 were transferred to the HCU after its initiation. The leading causes of HCU admission were pulmonary infection (78.0% ), respiratory failure (44.0% ), hepatic insufficiency (28.6% ), renal insufficiency (27.5% ), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC; 25.3% ), and sepsis (23.1% ). Median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) and SOFA scores at HCU admission were 14 ( IQR: 11–18) and the median Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was 7 ( IQR: 4, 10). Major HCU interventions included vasoactive drugs, noninvasive and invasive mechanical ventilation, continuous renal replacement therapy, therapeutic leukocyte clearance, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Among patients receiving induction chemotherapy, the composite complete remission rate was 65.4%, and the overall remission rate was 88.5%. Thirty-five (38.5% ) patients died within 28 days of HCU admission. Independent risk factors for 28-day mortality were DIC ( OR=9.350, 95% CI 1.999–43.745, P=0.005), sepsis ( OR=6.817, 95% CI 1.571–29.582, P=0.010), and cardiac insufficiency ( OR=12.281, 95% CI 2.385–63.254, P=0.003) . Conclusion:The main reason for HCU admission in newly diagnosed critically ill AML patients was pulmonary infection. Nearly 40% of patients experisenced early death, and DIC, sepsis, and heart failure were factors influencing early mortatlity.

Objective:To assess the presence of chemotherapy-induced abnormal myocardial perfusion using SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in patients with malignant hematologic diseases before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and to explore its predictive value for mid-to-long-term mortality risk after transplantation.Methods:From March 2016 to August 2022, 139 patients with malignant hematologic diseases (80 males, 59 females; age (45.7±13.0) years) who underwent resting MPI to assess the presence of chemotherapy-induced abnormal myocardial perfusion before HSCT at the First People′s Hospital of Changzhou were prospectively included. Baseline-data were collected and patients were followed up for mid-to-long-term (≥100d) adverse outcomes after transplantation. Overall survival (OS) of each patient was recorded. The χ2 test and independent-sample t test were used for data analysis. Cox regression analysis was utilized to identify independent risk factors affecting OS. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used for survival analysis. Results:The median follow-up time of 139 patients was 41.6(19.5, 65.6) months, with all-cause mortality of 28.8%(40/139), and the cardiovascular mortality was 42.5%(17/40). The prior cardiotoxic therapies rate (anthracycline dose ≥250mg/m 2) was higher in the death group compared to that in the survival group (15.0% (6/40) vs 5.1% (5/99); χ2=3.87, P=0.049). Pre-transplant abnormal myocardial perfusion rate was also higher in the death group compared to that in the survival group (55.0%(22/40) vs 22.2%(22/99); χ2=15.19, P<0.001). But pre-transplant left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was lower in the death group compared to that in the survival group ((60.4±5.2)% vs (62.9±3.9)%; t=-3.07, P=0.003). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that the abnormal myocardial perfusion indicated by MPI before transplantation was an independent risk factor affecting OS after HSCT in patients with malignant hematologic diseases (hazard rate ( HR)=2.70, 95% CI: 1.33-5.46, P=0.006). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed the 1-, 2-, 5-year OS rates of patients with the abnormal myocardial perfusion and the normal myocardial perfusion were 73.5%, 69.1%, 49.2% and 94.6%, 89.9%, 81.6%, respectively, with significant difference ( χ2=17.01, P<0.001). Conclusions:Patients with abnormal myocardial perfusion detected by MPI before HSCT for malignant hematologic diseases have a poorer prognosis, characterized by lower post-transplantation OS rates. The utilization of MPI for assessing abnormal myocardial perfusion before transplantation in patients with malignant hematologic diseases can aid in predicting the mid-to-long-term mortality risk after transplantation.

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*

Intentional tooth replantation (ITR) is an advanced treatment modality and the procedure of last resort for preserving teeth with inaccessible endodontic or resorptive lesions. ITR is defined as the deliberate extraction of a tooth; evaluation of the root surface, endodontic manipulation, and repair; and placement of the tooth back into its original socket. Case reports, case series, cohort studies, and randomized controlled trials have demonstrated the efficacy of ITR in the retention of natural teeth that are untreatable or difficult to manage with root canal treatment or endodontic microsurgery. However, variations in clinical protocols for ITR exist due to the empirical nature of the original protocols and rapid advancements in the field of oral biology and dental materials. This heterogeneity in protocols may cause confusion among dental practitioners; therefore, guidelines and considerations for ITR should be explicated. This expert consensus discusses the biological foundation of ITR, the available clinical protocols and current status of ITR in treating teeth with refractory apical periodontitis or anatomical aberration, and the main complications of this treatment, aiming to refine the clinical management of ITR in accordance with the progress of basic research and clinical studies; the findings suggest that ITR may become a more consistent evidence-based option in dental treatment.
Humans ; Tooth Replantation/methods* ; Consensus ; Periapical Periodontitis/surgery*