BACKGROUND: Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the predominant form of chronic liver disease worldwide. This study was designed to investigate the proportion and characteristics of MAFLD within the general Chinese population and to identify the contributory risk factors for liver fibrosis among MAFLD individuals. METHODS: The participants were recruited from a cohort undergoing routine health evaluations at the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University between May 2019 and March 2023. The diagnosis of MAFLD was based on the established clinical practice guidelines. The fibrosis-4 index score (FIB-4) was employed to evaluate hepatic fibrosis, with a FIB-4 score of ≥1.3 indicating significant fibrosis. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine risk factors associated with significant hepatic fibrosis in MAFLD. RESULTS: A total of 22,970 participants who underwent comprehensive medical examinations were included in the analysis. The overall proportion of MAFLD was 28.77% (6608/22,970), with 16.87% (1115/6608) of these patients showing significant fibrosis as assessed using FIB-4. Independent risk factors for significant liver fibrosis in MAFLD patients were male (odds ratio [OR] = 0.676, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.558-0.821), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity (OR = 2.611, 95% CI: 1.557-4.379), body mass index ≥23.00 kg/m 2 (OR = 0.632, 95% CI: 0.470-0.851), blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg (OR = 1.885, 95% CI: 1.564-2.272), and plasma glucose ≥5.6 mmol/L (OR = 1.815, 95% CI: 1.507-2.186) (all P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS The proportion of MAFLD in an urban Chinese population is 28.77%. About 16.87% of MAFLD patients presented with significant liver fibrosis. Independent risk factors for significant liver fibrosis in MAFLD patients should be noticed.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Liver Cirrhosis/pathology* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Adult ; Fatty Liver/pathology* ; Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Logistic Models ; Urban Population ; East Asian People

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 observe the expression of Galectin-3 in peritoneal dialysis (PD) fluid in patients with different dialysis ages, and to conduct correlation analysis with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) , fi-bronectin (FN) and related clinical indicators.Methods A total of 109 PD patients who were regularly followed up in the department of nephrology were divided into four groups according to different peritoneal dialysis ages.The concentrations of Galectin-3, VEGF and FN were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The expres-sion of Galectin-3 in peritoneal dialysate of the 4 groups was compared, the correlation with VEGF, FN and clinical related indexes was analyzed, and the correlation was analyzed by Spearman test.Results The concentration of VEGF in peritoneal dialysis patients in group D significantly increased (P<0.05) .Galectin-3 expression levels were positively correlated with VEGF (r =0.358 , P =0.022) , but not significantly correlated with FN (r =0.121, P=0.452).Galectin-3 was positively correlated with clinical indicators parathyroid hormone (PTH) (r=0.201, P=0.037), C-reactive protein (CRP) (r=0.357, P<0.001), left ventricular posterior wall dimensions (LVPWD) (r=0.213, P=0.026), and negatively correlated with clinical indicators total cholesterol (TC) (r=-0.316, P=0.001).Conclusion The concentration of Galectin-3 in the dialysate of long-term peritoneal dialy-sis patients is significantly elevated, indicating that the expression of galectin-3 increases with the extension of peri-toneal dialysis time, suggesting that the detection of galectin-3 levels may be helpful for the evaluation of early peri-toneal fibrosis.The positive correlation with VEGF may suggest its role in promoting peritoneal angiogenesis and fi-brosis.Moreover, it is positively correlated with clinical indicators PTH, CRP and LVPWD, suggesting that it has certain clinical guiding significance on microinflammatory state and myocardial remodeling.

Objective To analyze the effect of neurofeedback training based on early start Denver model(ESDM)on children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD). Methods From August,2020 to May,2024,a total of 60 children with ASD from Hangzhou Children's Hospital were randomly divided into control group(n=30)and observation group(n=30).The control group received ESDM intervention,while the observation group received neurofeedback training in addition,for six months.They were assessed with Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist(ATEC)and Psycho-Educational Profile-3rd Edition(PEP-3). Results After treatment,the score of ATEC was lower in the observation group than in the control group(t=3.545,P<0.05),the scores of cognition(t=2.236,P=0.029),emotional expression(t=2.293,P=0.025)and problem be-havior(Z=2.099,P=0.036)were higher in the observation group than in the control group.The score differenc-es of ATEC(Z=3.620,P<0.001),and cognition(Z=2.920,P<0.05)and problem behaviors(Z=4.209,P<0.05)of PEP-3 before and after intervention were higher in the observation group than in the control group. Conclusion Combination of neurofeedback training could improve the effect of ESDM on ASD.

Objective:To provide evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and management of lower limb ischemia in veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) patients during treatment according to search, evaluate, and summarize the best evidence on the prevention and management of lower limb ischemia in patients with VA-ECMO.Methods:Based on the PIPOST framework (population, intervention, professional, outcome, setting, and type of evidence), an evidence-based question was formulated. A systematic search was conducted according to the "6S" evidence pyramid model in both domestic and international databases, as well as professional association websites, for all evidence related to the prevention and management of lower limb ischemia in VA-ECMO patients (aged ≥18 years). The types of evidence included clinical decisions, guidelines, expert consensus, systematic reviews, evidence summaries, and original studies. The search was conducted from the construction of the databases to February 2024. Two researchers independently conducted a literature quality evaluation, extracted and summarized evidence from the studies that met the quality criteria.Results:A total of 13 articles were included, consisting of 3 clinical decisions, 3 guidelines, 3 expert consensus, 3 systematic reviews, and 1 randomized controlled trial. A total of 18 pieces of evidence in 7 dimensions were summarized, including risk factors of VA-ECMO lower limb ischemia, evaluation before catheterization, evaluation and monitoring during treatment, prevention of lower limb ischemia, treatment of lower limb ischemia, management of distal perfusion catheter (DPC), and monitoring after VA-ECMO weaning.Conclusion:This evidence summary provides evidence-based recommendations for the prevention and management of lower limb ischemia in VA-ECMO patients, aiming to assist clinical healthcare professionals in developing tailored strategies for the prevention and management of lower limb ischemia based on during VA-ECMO support.

Objective To investigate the improving effect and mechanism of the traditional Chinese herbal medicine Glabridin(GLA)on cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease(PD)mice induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP),and its protective effect on the cerebral cortex and hippocampus through affecting the extracellular regulated protein kinases(ERK)signaling pathway involved in the regulation of neural plasticity.Methods A total of 120 C57BL//6N mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,GLA control group and MPTP+GLA low,medium and high-dose groups,with 20 mice in each group.The mouse PD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of MPTP 20 mg/kg,and the control group was injected with the same dose of normal saline.The GLA control group was given 50 mg/kg GLA by gavage;the MPTP+GLA low,medium and high dose groups were given 20,30 and 50 mg/kg GLA by gavage 1 hour after each MPTP administration,once a day for 7 consecutive days.The learning and memory abilities of the mice in each group and the pathological changes of hippocampal tissue were observed,as well as the changes in the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-18(IL-18),malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)and protein expression levels of phosphorylated-ERK 1/2(p-ERK1/2)in the cerebral cortex.Results Compared with the control group,the levels of MDA and TNF-α,IL-18 in the cerebral cortex of the model group were significantly increased[MDA(nmol/mg):4.68±0.51 vs.2.05±0.22,TNF-α(μg/L):116.87±15.65 vs.48.52±7.83,IL-18(μg/L):57.52±6.89 vs.24.26±1.89,all P<0.05],while the activity of SOD was significantly decreased(U/mg:77.84±7.84 vs.130.89±18.56,P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the contents of TNF-α,IL-18,and MDA in each MPTP+GLA group were significantly decreased,while the activity of SOD was significantly increased(all P<0.05),and the change in the high-dose MPTP+GLA group was more obvious.The learning and memory ability of the high-dose MPTP+GLA group was significantly improved,the number of neurons in the hippocampus tissue decreased,the neurodegeneration was improved,and the glial cell proliferation was reduced.The results of immunohistochemistry showed that compared with the model group,the loss of TH positive cells in the high-dose MPTP+GLA group was significantly reduced[absorbance(A value):cerebral cortex was 39.14±3.25 vs.23.14±3.1,hippocampus was 72.14±4.25 vs.52.16±3.32,both P<0.05],and the expression of p-ERK1/2 positive cells was significantly inhibited(A value:cerebral cortex was 63.91±3.55 vs.88.35±6.41,hippocampus was 73.36±3.52 vs.93.25±6.73,both P<0.05).Western blotting showed that compared with the model group,the protein expression level of cerebral cortex and hippocampus TH in the high-dose MPTP+GLA group was significantly increased(gray value:cerebral cortex was 0.71±0.09 vs.0.53±0.06,hippocampus was 0.68±0.06 vs.0.45±0.03,both P<0.05),and the protein expression level of p-ERK1/2 was significantly inhibited(gray value:cerebral cortex was 0.76±0.10 vs.0.96±0.08,hippocampus was 0.74±0.06 vs.0.96±0.12,both P<0.05).Conclusions The traditional Chinese medicine GLA can improve the learning and memory ability of MPTP-induced PD mice,as well as prevent and treat MPTP-induced neuronal damage and glial cell proliferation.The ERK signaling pathway is associated with neural damage in PD brain tissue.GLA protects the learning and memory ability of MPTP-induced PD mice by inhibiting the ERK signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone(DMQ),an active ingredients in fermented wheat germ extract,for inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and alleviating septic shock in mice.Methods Cultured murine bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDM)stimulated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)were treated with DMQ,followed by treatment with Nigericin,ATP,and MSU for activating the canonical NLRP3 inflammasome;the non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome was activated by intracellular transfection of LPS,and AIM2 inflammasome was activated using Poly A:T.In human monocytic THP-1 cells,the effect of Nigericin on inflammasome activation products was examined using Western blotting and ELISA.Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to explore the mechanism of DMQ-induced blocking of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.In a male C57BL/6J mouse model of LPS-induced septic shock treated with 20 and 40 mg/kg DMQ,the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the serum and peritoneal lavage fluid were determined using ELISA,and the survival time of the mice within 36 h was observed.Results Treatment with DMQ effectively inhibited LPS-induced activation of canonical NLRP3 inflammasome in mouse BMDM and human THP-1 cells and also inhibited non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mouse BMDM,but produced no significant effect on AIM2 inflammasome activation.DMQ significantly blocked the binding between ASC and NLRP3.In the mouse models of septic shock,DMQ treatment significantly reduced the levels of IL-1β in the serum and peritoneal fluid and obviously prolonged survival time of the mice.Conclusion DMQ can effectively block ASC-NLRP3 interaction to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation and alleviate LPS-induced septic shock in mice.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone(DMQ),an active ingredients in fermented wheat germ extract,for inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and alleviating septic shock in mice.Methods Cultured murine bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDM)stimulated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)were treated with DMQ,followed by treatment with Nigericin,ATP,and MSU for activating the canonical NLRP3 inflammasome;the non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome was activated by intracellular transfection of LPS,and AIM2 inflammasome was activated using Poly A:T.In human monocytic THP-1 cells,the effect of Nigericin on inflammasome activation products was examined using Western blotting and ELISA.Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to explore the mechanism of DMQ-induced blocking of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.In a male C57BL/6J mouse model of LPS-induced septic shock treated with 20 and 40 mg/kg DMQ,the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the serum and peritoneal lavage fluid were determined using ELISA,and the survival time of the mice within 36 h was observed.Results Treatment with DMQ effectively inhibited LPS-induced activation of canonical NLRP3 inflammasome in mouse BMDM and human THP-1 cells and also inhibited non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mouse BMDM,but produced no significant effect on AIM2 inflammasome activation.DMQ significantly blocked the binding between ASC and NLRP3.In the mouse models of septic shock,DMQ treatment significantly reduced the levels of IL-1β in the serum and peritoneal fluid and obviously prolonged survival time of the mice.Conclusion DMQ can effectively block ASC-NLRP3 interaction to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation and alleviate LPS-induced septic shock in mice.

The global COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has infected over 109 million people, leading to over 2 million deaths up to date and still lacking of effective drugs for patient treatment. Here, we screened about 1.8 million small molecules against the main protease (M^pro) and papain like protease (PL^pro), two major proteases in severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 genome, and identified 1851M^pro inhibitors and 205 PL^pro inhibitors with low nmol/l activity of the best hits. Among these inhibitors, eight small molecules showed dual inhibition effects on both M^pro and PL^pro, exhibiting potential as better candidates for COVID-19 treatment. The best inhibitors of each protease were tested in antiviral assay, with over 40% of M^pro inhibitors and over 20% of PL^pro inhibitors showing high potency in viral inhibition with low cytotoxicity. The X-ray crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 M^pro in complex with its potent inhibitor 4a was determined at 1.8 Å resolution. Together with docking assays, our results provide a comprehensive resource for future research on anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug development.
Humans ; Antiviral Agents/chemistry* ; COVID-19 ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; High-Throughput Screening Assays ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Protease Inhibitors/chemistry* ; SARS-CoV-2/enzymology* ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins

Liver biopsy is a key method for clarifying the diagnosis of liver diseases and has an important value in determining disease severity, deciding treatment timing, and predicting treatment response and prognosis. By recognizing the pattern of liver pathological injury, pathologists evaluate the nature of lesions as the basis of diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and among these patterns, liver tissue with "normal appearance" requires careful observation of easily overlooked pathological changes, so as to reduce misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis. This article mainly introduces the thoughts in the pathological diagnosis of liver tissue with normal appearance and the key points in differential diagnosis.