ObjectiveTo investigate the association between noninvasive liver fibrosis markers and carotid plaque （CP） in patients with lean metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD）， and to provide a basis for screening high-risk populations. MethodsA total of 957 patients with lean MAFLD who underwent physical examination in Subei People’s Hospital from January 2021 to June 2023 was enrolled as the observation cohort， with the presence or absence of CP as the outcome， and fibrosis-4 （FIB-4） index and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease fibrosis score （NFS） were used to assess liver fibrosis degree. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The multivariate logistic regression analysis， the restricted cubic spline analysis， the receiver operating characteristic curve， and the mediation effect analysis were used to investigate the association between liver fibrosis degree and CP. ResultsThe prevalence rate of CP was 36.6% in the lean MAFLD population. Compared with the non-CP group（n=607）， the CP group （n=350） had a significantly higher proportion of male patients， a significantly higher proportion of patients with smoking/diabetes/hypertension， and significantly higher levels of age， creatinine， blood urea nitrogen， triglycerides， fasting blood glucose， aspartate aminotransferase， aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio， NFS， and FIB-4 index， as well as significantly lower levels of platelet count and albumin （all P<0.05）. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjustment for confounding factors， FIB-4 index （odds ratio［OR］=2.979， 95% confidence interval［CI］：2.141 — 4.219， P<0.001） and NFS （OR=1.747， 95%CI： 1.499 — 2.046， P<0.001） were positively correlated with CP. Both FIB-4 index and NFS had a good value in predicting CP. Hypertension had a significant indirect effect on the prevalence rate of CP through its impact on liver fibrosis markers， and its mediating effect accounted for 39.5% — 40.8% of the total effect （P<0.001）. ConclusionIn patients with lean MAFLD， NFS and FIB-4 index are significantly positively correlated with the prevalence rate of CP， and they can be used as potential epidemiological predictive indicators. Liver fibrosis markers may play a mediating role in the association between hypertension and CP. Interventions targeting hypertension and liver fibrosis markers may help to prevent and delay the progression of CP.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association of liver fibrosis scores and inflammation markers with gallstones in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD）， as well as the mediating role of liver fibrosis scores in the relationship between inflammation markers and gallstones. MethodsA total of 14 567 patients who received physical examination and were diagnosed with MAFLD in Subei People’s Hospital from January 2014 to June 2023 were enrolled in this study， and according to the results of abdominal color Doppler ultrasound， they were divided into gallstone group with 1 724 patients and non-gallstone group with 12 843 patients. Related clinical data were collected from all patients， including demographic data， medical history， family history， physical examination， Color Doppler ultrasound， and biochemical parameters. The biomarkers associated with metabolic disorders and insulin resistance included triglyceride-glucose index （TyG）， TyG-body mass index （BMI） index， atherogenic index of plasma （AIP）， and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio （NHHR）； the biomarkers associated with inflammation and nutritional status included neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio （NLR）， neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio （NPAR）， and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio （MLR）； the biomarkers for assessing liver fibrosis degree and liver function included albumin-bilirubin （ALBI） score， NAFLD fibrosis score （NFS）， fibrosis-4 （FIB-4） index， and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index （APRI）. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， while the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis， restricted cubic spline analysis， and mediating effect analysis were used to assess the association of liver fibrosis markers and inflammation markers with the risk of gallstones. ResultsThe prevalence rate of gallstones was 11.8% among the MAFLD patients. There were significant differences between the gallstone group and the non-gallstone group in sex， age， smoking history， diabetes， hypertension， lymphocytes， platelets， glucose， albumin， serum uric acid， alanine aminotransferase， aspartate aminotransferase， red blood cell， NLR， NPAR， MLR， NFS， FIB-4 index， and ALBI score （all P<0.05）. The multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that NLR （odds ratio ［OR］=1.091， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.028　—　1.160， P<0.05）， NPAR （OR=1.073， 95%CI： 1.042　—　1.105， P<0.05）， MLR （OR=1.142， 95%CI： 1.057　—　1.232， P<0.05）， NFS （OR=1.239， 95%CI： 1.190　—　1.291， P<0.05）， and FIB-4 index （OR=1.326， 95%CI： 1.241　—　1.417， P<0.05） were influencing factors for the prevalence rate of gallstones. The restricted cubic spline analysis showed a significant non-linear association between NFS/FIB-4 index and the risk of gallstone （non-linear P<0.05）. The mediating effect analysis further showed that the association of NLR， MLR， and NPAR with gallstones was partially mediated by NFS or FIB-4 index， with a mediating effect accounting for 36.79%、28.09%、29.67% and 18.31%、17.70、11.57%， respectively. ConclusionNFS and FIB-4 index have a non-linear association with the prevalence rate of gallstones in MAFLD patients， and they also mediate the association of NLR， NPAR， and MLR with the risk of gallstone.

Mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active moiety of both mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS), serves as a primary immunosuppressant for maintaining solid organ transplants. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) enhances treatment outcomes through tailored approaches. This study aimed to develop an evidence-based guideline for MPA TDM, facilitating its rational application in clinical settings. The guideline plan was drawn from the Institute of Medicine and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Using the Delphi method, clinical questions and outcome indicators were generated. Systematic reviews, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) evidence quality evaluations, expert opinions, and patient values guided evidence-based suggestions for the guideline. External reviews further refined the recommendations. The guideline for the TDM of MPA (IPGRP-2020CN099) consists of four sections and 16 recommendations encompassing target populations, monitoring strategies, dosage regimens, and influencing factors. High-risk populations, timing of TDM, area under the curve (AUC) versus trough concentration (C₀), target concentration ranges, monitoring frequency, and analytical methods are addressed. Formulation-specific recommendations, initial dosage regimens, populations with unique considerations, pharmacokinetic-informed dosing, body weight factors, pharmacogenetics, and drug‍-‍drug interactions are covered. The evidence-based guideline offers a comprehensive recommendation for solid organ transplant recipients undergoing MPA therapy, promoting standardization of MPA TDM, and enhancing treatment efficacy and safety.
Mycophenolic Acid/administration & dosage* ; Drug Monitoring/methods* ; Humans ; Organ Transplantation ; Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage* ; Delphi Technique

Hearing loss is the most prevalent disabling disease. Cochlear implantation（CI） serves as the primary intervention for severe to profound hearing loss. This consensus systematically explores the value of genetic diagnosis in the pre-operative assessment and efficacy prognosis for CI. Drawing upon domestic and international research and clinical experience, it proposes an evidence-based medicine three-tiered prognostic classification system（Favorable, Marginal, Poor）. The consensus focuses on common hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss（such as that caused by mutations in genes like GJB2, SLC26A4, OTOF, LOXHD1） and syndromic hereditary hearing loss（such as Jervell & Lange-Nielsen syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome）, which are closely associated with congenital hearing loss, analyzing the impact of their pathological mechanisms on CI outcomes. The consensus provides recommendations based on multiple round of expert discussion and voting. It emphasizes that genetic diagnosis can optimize patient selection, predict prognosis, guide post-operative rehabilitation, offer stratified management strategies for patients with different genotypes, and advance the application of precision medicine in the field of CI.
Humans ; Cochlear Implantation ; Prognosis ; Hearing Loss/surgery* ; Consensus ; Connexin 26 ; Mutation ; Sulfate Transporters ; Connexins/genetics*

Objective:To investigate the causal effects of plasma lipidomics on pancreatitis using Mendelian ran-domization(MR)and evaluate the roles of intra-pancreatic fat deposition(IPFD)and gallstone disease in this relation-ship.Methods:A bidirectional MR analysis was conducted,with 179 plasma lipids as exposures and acute pancreati-tis(AP)and chronic pancreatitis(CP)as outcomes.Data were sourced from genome-wide association studies(GWAS),the UK Biobank,and the FinnGen project.Two-step Mendelian randomization(TSMR)and multivariable Mendelian ran-domization(MVMR)analyses were applied to assess the mediating roles of IPFD and gallstone disease in the associa-tion between plasma lipids and pancreatitis.Results:MR analysis identified two sterols negatively associated with AP(P＜0.05)and seven sterols negatively associated with CP(P＜0.05).One phospholipid showed a positive association with CP(P＜0.05).IPFD was positively associated with both AP and CP.Gallstone disease was confirmed as a risk fac-tor for AP.However,TSMR analysis indicated that neither IPFD nor gallstone disease mediated the relationship be-tween plasma lipids and pancreatitis.Conclusion:The causal relationship exists among plasma lipomics and AP/CP,also between IPFD,cholelithiasis and pancreatitis.These findings highlight novel risk factors and potential biomarkers to support early diagnosis and intervention for pancreatitis.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of vericiguat tablets combined with sacubitril valsartan sodium(Sac/Val)tablets in the treatment of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF).Methods The HFrEF patients were divided into control group and treatment group according to the cohort method.The control group was treated with Sac/Val tablets 200 mg per time,bid,orally.On the basis of control group,the treatment group was treated with vericiguat tablets 2.5 mg per time,qd,taken with meal.Two groups were treated for 3 months.The clinical efficacy,left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular end-diastolic dimension(LVEDD)and end-systolic diameter(LVESD),levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),interleukin-6(IL-6),nitric oxide(NO),N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP),blood urea nitrogen(BUN)and serum creatinine(SCr),and safety were compared between the two groups.During follow-up,the heart failure rehospitalization rates and major adverse cardiovascular events were compared between the two groups.Results Treatment group was enrolled 53 patients,control group was enrolled 53 patients.After treatment,the total effective rates of treatment and control groups were 94.34％(50 cases/53 cases)and 81.13％(43 cases/53 cases)with statistical significant difference(P＜0.05).After treatment,the LVEF of treatment and control groups were(48.02±5.20)％and(43.02±4.33)％,the LVEDDs were(52.85±6.30)and(55.63±6.88)mm,the LVESDs were(41.64±6.40)and(44.22±5.85)mm,the levels of hs-CRP were(10.22±2.63)and(14.60±2.98)mg L-1,the levels of IL-6 were(14.48±2.40)and(17.36±2.52)pg·mL-1,the levels of NO were(102.60±20.16)and(92.16±16.33)μmol·L-1,the levels of NT-proBNP were(898.74±102.20)and(1315.60±182.64)ng·L-1,the levels of BUN were(12.02±2.28)and(13.45±2.33)mmol·L-1,the levels of SCr were(82.22±5.89)and(85.64±6.03)μmol·L-1,the heart failure rehospitalization rates were 5.66％and 13.21％,respectively;the differences were statistical significant between two groups(all P＜0.05).The adverse drug reactions of treatment group were hyperkalemia,hypotension,renal dysfunction,dizziness and headache,while those in control group were renal dysfunction,hyperkalemia,and hypotension.The major adverse cardiovascular events of treatment group were angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction,while those in control group were angina pectoris,acute myocardial infarction and atrial fibrillation.The incidences of total adverse drug reactions in treatment and control groups were 13.21％and 7.55％,the incidences of major adverse cardiovascular events were 5.66％and 13.21％,respectively,without statistically significant differences(all P＞0.05).Conclusion Vericiguat tablets combined with Sac/Val tablets have a definitive clinical efficacy in the treatment of HFrEF patients,which can improve cardiac and endothelial function,reduce inflammatory response and readmission times,without increasing the incidences of adverse drug reactions.

Objective To investigate the association between triglyceride-glucose(TyG)index and the prevalence of gallstones in women,and to assess whether it can be used as a convenient indicator for the epidemiological survey of gallstones in women.Methods A total of 22 979 adult women who underwent physical examination in Subei People's Hospital of Jiangsu from January 2021 to June 2023 were enrolled,and according to the results of abdominal color Doppler ultrasound,they were divided into gallstone group with 1 763 women and non-gallstone group with 21 216 women.The independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups,and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups;the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.The multivariate logistic regression analysis,the restricted cubic spline analysis,the subgroup analysis,and mediating effect were used to investigate the association between TyG index and the risk of gallstones in women.Results The overall prevalence rate of gallstones was 7.7％in women.Compared with the non-gallstone group,the gallstone group had significantly higher age,BMI,FPG,TG,TyG index,TC,Hb,BUN,UA,SCr,TC,and LDL-C(all P<0.05),and the women with diabetes,fatty liver,hypertension,and hyperuricemia were more likely to have gallstones(all P<0.05).The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that based on the quartiles of TyG index,the risk of gallstones in the Q3(8.97-9.38)group was 1.38(95％confidence interval[CI]:1.15-1.62,P<0.001)times that in the Q1(<8.63)group,and the risk of gallstones in the Q4(≥9.38)group was 1.39(95％CI:1.16-1.68,P<0.001)times that in the Q1 group.After adjustment for all covariates,TyG index,as a continuous variable,showed an independent positive correlation with the risk of gallstones(odds ratio[OR]=1.24,95％CI:1.11-1.39,P=0.004).The restricted cubic spline curve revealed a significant nonlinear association between TyG index and the risk of gallstones(P for non linear=0.008),and the threshold analysis showed statistical significance in the effect of TyG index below the inflection point of 8.95(OR=1.34,95％CI:1.15-1.97,P=0.042).The subgroup analysis showed that TyG index was significantly positively correlated with gallstones in women with a BMI of<25 kg/m2,an age of<50 years,an age of≥50 years,the absence of diabetes or fatty liver,total cholesterol<5.72 mmol/L,total bilirubin<21 μmol/L,a hemoglobin level of 110-150 g/L,and blood urea nitrogen<7.5 μmol/L(all P<0.05).A mediating analysis was performed for the subgroups with a statistically significant P value for interaction,and the results showed that BMI accounted for 23.0％of the mediating effect in the influence of TyG index on gallstones,and fatty liver and diabetes accounted for 15.7％and 21.0％,respectively.Conclusion In women,a higher TyG index indicates a higher risk of gallstones.Lowering TyG index may reduce the risk of gallstones by improving insulin sensitivity.

This consensus was developed by the Orthodontic Society of the Chinese Stomatological Association to provide a systematic, scientific, and practical guideline for informed consent in orthodontic care. Orthodontic treatment is typically lengthy, highly individualized, and involves multiple factors such as growth and development, occlusal function, and facial esthetics. Rapid technological advances and diverse risk profiles make the traditional reliance on orthodontist experience or institutional templates insufficient to ensure patients′ full understanding and autonomous decision-making. To address this, the expert panel conducted extensive reviews of domestic and international guidelines, analyzed representative dispute cases, and performed multicenter patient-clinician surveys. Using a multi-round Delphi method, the group established a standardized informed consent framework covering the initial consultation, treatment, and retention phases. The consensus emphasizes that informed consent is not only a fundamental legal and ethical requirement but also a key step in building trust, improving patient compliance, and enhancing treatment satisfaction. Orthodontists should clearly and comprehensively explain treatment plans, potential risks, uncertainties, and associated costs, while respecting the autonomy of patients or guardians, and maintain continuous communication and dynamic evaluation throughout the treatment process. The release of this consensus provides unified and authoritative guidance for clinical orthodontics, helping to standardize informed consent, enhance its transparency, safeguard patient rights, reduce medical risks, and promote high-quality, sustainable development of orthodontic practice.

Objective:To analyze the association between inflammation-related dietary patterns and the risk for cognitive impairment in older adults aged ≥65 years in longevity areas in China by using reduced rank regression (RRR) analysis.Methods:This study used cross-sectional data from the 2021 Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study, including the information about study participants' demographic characteristics, lifestyles, daily life activities, and disease histories. Dietary intake was obtained by using a simplified food frequency questionnaire. Cognitive impairment was evaluated based on the Mini-Mental State Examination Scale combined with years of education. Fasting venous blood samples were collected to detect inflammatory markers, especially high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). RRR analysis was used to obtain inflammation-related dietary patterns using hs-CRP and PLR as response variables. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between dietary pattern score and the risk for cognitive impairment. Restricted cubic spline was used to explore the dose response relationship, and mediation analysis was used to quantify the mediating effects of hs-CRP and PLR.Results:Two dietary patterns were identified with RRR. The primary pattern was characterized by higher intakes of flour, red meat, and dairy products, and lower intake of fresh vegetables, explaining 6.84% of the variance in food intake and 0.50% of the variance in inflammatory markers. Compared with the T1 group, the T3 group had significantly higher risk for cognitive impairment ( OR=1.242, 95% CI: 1.034-1.491). Each one standard deviation increase in the dietary pattern score was associated with an 8.7% increase in the risk for cognitive impairment ( OR=1.087, 95% CI: 1.008-1.172), with a significant linear trend (overall-model P<0.001, non-linear P=0.295). Mediation analysis indicated that hs-CRP mediated 6.2% of the association between the dietary pattern and the risk for cognitive impairment. Conclusion:The inflammation- related dietary pattern characterized by higher consumption of flour, red meat, and dairy products and lower consumption of fresh vegetables is associated with an increased risk for cognitive impairment in older adults, and hs-CRP partially mediates this association.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.