Healthy dental pulp is essential for preserving teeth and maintaining their normal function. Vital pulp therapy (VPT) is widely used in clinical applications because it aims to preserve vital pulp and enhance the long-term survival of teeth. An accurate diagnosis of pulp vitality is a prerequisite for successful VPT. However, accurately assessing pulp viability remains challenging in clinical practice. Pulp viability is influenced by various factors, including the type of pulp exposure, caries status, periodontitis, trauma, treatment factors, patient age, and individual differences. Assessing pulp viability requires a comprehensive consideration of medical history and clinical manifestations, along with a combination of various auxiliary methods, such as pulp sensibility tests, pulp blood flow tests, imaging techniques and molecular diagnostics. In the future, the technology for assessing pulp vitality should evolve toward chairside, visualization, and precision techniques, to achieve consistency between clinical and histological diagnoses, thereby providing patients with the most effective treatment.

Serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors （SSRIs）， as widely used antidepressants in clinical practice， exhibit significant individual differences in antidepressant efficacy. Gut microbiota plays an important role in the development and progression of depression， and the use of SSRIs exerts a significant impact on the gut microbiota of patients with depression. Based on this， this article reviews the research progress on the interactions between the antidepressant effects of SSRIs and gut microbiota. It has been found that SSRIs can influence the diversity， abundance， and function of the gut microbiota directly or indirectly. Conversely， the composition of the gut microbiota and differences in its functional metabolic pathways， and other factors， can in turn affect the antidepressant effects of SSRIs. Therefore， in clinical practice， gut microbiota diversity can be utilized as a predictive indicator for the antidepressant effects of SSRIs. Probiotics can be employed as an adjunct therapy alongside SSRIs， and dietary adjustments， as well as fecal microbiota transplantation， can be used to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of SSRIs. In the future， large-scale， multicenter clinical studies should be conducted， enrolling a broadly representative cohort of patients with depression， to uncover the true association between the antidepressant effects of SSRIs and gut microbiota， thereby opening up more effective avenues for the comprehensive treatment of depression.

Objective To monitor the susceptibility of clinical isolates to antimicrobial agents in tertiary hospitals in major regions of China in 2022.Methods Clinical isolates from 58 hospitals in China were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using a unified protocol based on disc diffusion method or automated testing systems.Results were interpreted using the 2022 Clinical &Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)breakpoints.Results A total of 318 013 clinical isolates were collected from January 1,2022 to December 31,2022,of which 29.5％were gram-positive and 70.5％were gram-negative.The prevalence of methicillin-resistant strains in Staphylococcus aureus,Staphylococcus epidermidis and other coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species(excluding Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Staphylococcus schleiferi)was 28.3％,76.7％and 77.9％,respectively.Overall,94.0％of MRSA strains were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and 90.8％of MRSE strains were susceptible to rifampicin.No vancomycin-resistant strains were found.Enterococcus faecalis showed significantly lower resistance rates to most antimicrobial agents tested than Enterococcus faecium.A few vancomycin-resistant strains were identified in both E.faecalis and E.faecium.The prevalence of penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae was 94.2％in the isolates from children and 95.7％in the isolates from adults.The resistance rate to carbapenems was lower than 13.1％in most Enterobacterales species except for Klebsiella,21.7％-23.1％of which were resistant to carbapenems.Most Enterobacterales isolates were highly susceptible to tigecycline,colistin and polymyxin B,with resistance rates ranging from 0.1％to 13.3％.The prevalence of meropenem-resistant strains decreased from 23.5％in 2019 to 18.0％in 2022 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and decreased from 79.0％in 2019 to 72.5％in 2022 in Acinetobacter baumannii.Conclusions The resistance of clinical isolates to the commonly used antimicrobial agents is still increasing in tertiary hospitals.However,the prevalence of important carbapenem-resistant organisms such as carbapenem-resistant K.pneumoniae,P.aeruginosa,and A.baumannii showed a downward trend in recent years.This finding suggests that the strategy of combining antimicrobial resistance surveillance with multidisciplinary concerted action works well in curbing the spread of resistant bacteria.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of single center adult chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase(CML-CP).Methods:Clinical data of 41 adult CML-CP patients in Department of Hematology,Shanghai Fengxian District Central Hospital from January 2015 to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients between＜60 years group and ≥ 60 years group were compared.Results:The 41 patients included 27(65.9％)males and 14(34.1％)females.The median age of the patients was 56(19-84)years,with 22 cases(53.7％)＜60 years and 19 cases(46.3％)≥60 years.Univariate analysis indicated that the proportions of patients with comorbidities,intermediate/high-risk Sokal score,myelofibrosis,and lactate dehydrogenase ≥1 000 U/L were significantly increased in ≥60 years group compared with＜60 years group at initial diagnosis(all P＜0.05).There were no statistical differences in the distribution of sex,ELST score,white blood cell count,platelet count,peripheral blood basophil percentage,peripheral blood eosinophil percentage and bone marrow primitive cell percentage between the two groups(P＞0.05).The proportion of patients taking reduced-dose imatinib in≥60 years group significantly increased(P＜0.001).Patients＜60 years had a higher proportion of molecular biological remission after treatment of tyrosine kinase inhibitors(TKIs)than patients ≥ 60 years(P＜0.001).The incidence of non-hematologic adverse reactions to TKI therapy significantly increased in patients ≥ 60 years(P＜0.001).Multivariate analysis showed that no adverse factors affecting the efficacy and prognosis of TKI.Conclusion:Compared with adult CML-CP patients＜60 years,patients ≥ 60 years gain fewer benefits from TKI treatment and increased adverse reactions.

Objective:To investigate the effect of genetic polymorphism of MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) on methotrexate (MTX) related toxicity in pediatric mature B-cell lymphoma patients. Methods:Fifty-eight intermediate and high risk patients under 18 years of age with mature B-cell lymphoma who received 5 g/m2 MTX (24 h intravenous infusion) in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from August 2014 to December 2021 were included,and their toxicity of high-dose MTX (HD-MTX) were monitored and analyzed. Results:Among the 58 pediatric patients,the number of CC,CT,and TT genotypes for MTHFR C677T was 33,19 and 6,respectively. A total of 101 courses of HD-MTX therapy were counted,of which plasma MTX level>0.2 μmol/L at 48 h post-MTX infusion were observed in 35 courses,≤0.2 μmol/L in 66 courses. Inter-group comparison showed that plasma MTX level>0.2 μmol/L at 48 h post-MTX infusion increased the risk of developing oral mucositis (P<0.05). Compared with wild-type (CC genotype),patients in the mutant group (CT+TT genotype) were more likely to develop myelosuppression,manifested as anemia,leucopenia,neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. However,plasma MTX level at 48 h was not associated with MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism. Conclusion:The risk of developing oral mucositis in children with mature B-cell lymphoma is associated with plasma MTX concentration. Polymorphism of MTHFR C677T gene is not related to plasma MTX concentration in children with mature B-cell lymphoma,but is related to grade Ⅲ to Ⅳ hematological toxicity.

Objective To evaluate the quality of hypoglycemia fear assessment tools for adults,so as to provide references for the selection of high-quality research tools.Methods PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,CNKI,VIP,Wanfang,CBM were retrieved to collect the literature on the measurement properties of hypoglycemic fear.There were 2 researchers who screened the literature and extracted data,independently.Based on the consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments(COSMIN)guideline,the methodological and measure-ment properties quality of the included assessment tools were evaluated by the COSMIN risk of bias checklist and quality criteria.Results A total of 17 studies involving 6 hypoglycemia fear assessment tools for adults were included,none of which reported cross-cultural validity,measurement error,and responsiveness.All assessment tools were recommended by grade B.Conclusion The 15-item Fear of Hypoglycemia Scale(FH-15)has the most comprehensive measurement properties in its evaluation,and can be provisionally recommended for use,but it needs further testing.

Objective:To explore the application of photoplethysmography (iPPG) for contactless vital signs monitoring in the intensive care unit (ICU).Methods:Ten tracheostomy patients in intensive care had their heart rate, oxygen saturation, and diastolic and systolic pressures monitored using iPPG technology and a 24-hour bedside monitor. The readings included periods at rest, during turning, during suctioning, and when undergoing vigorous physical therapy and occupational therapy. The monitoring lasted 3 consecutive days. The data collected by the two methods were compared to analyze the accuracy of the contactless vital signs monitoring system.Results:The oxygen saturation readings of the two systems showed no significant differences. The heart rates, diastolic pressures, and systolic pressures did, however, differ significantly.Conclusions:In the situations tested, contactless monitoring of oxygen saturation is effective, but there is still significant room for improvement in the three indicators of heart rate, systolic pressure, and diastolic pressure.

A retrospective analysis was conducted on three patients with primary myelofibrosis who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) at Shanghai Zhaxin Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital from 2020 to 2023. They subsequently developed poor graft function. The patients received selected donor CD34 + cell boosts as salvage therapy. There were two male patients and one female patient, with a median age of 68 (39-69) years. The median time from allo-HSCT to the selected donor CD34 + cell boost was 83 (56-154) days. The median infusion of selected donor CD34 + cells was 7.67 (7.61-9.06) ×10 6/kg, with a CD34 + cell purity of 97.76% (96.50%-97.91%) and a recovery rate of 70% (42%-75%) . Hematological recovery was achieved in two cases. No acute GVHD was observed in any of the three patients. One case of moderate oral chronic GVHD was noted. Selected donor CD34 + cell boosts for the treatment of poor graft function after allo-HSCT in primary myelofibrosis was effective and no severe acute or chronic GVHD was observed.

Objective To develop a portable collection device of human exhaled breath condensate(EBC)based on natural breathing to meet the needs for rapid screening of human respiratory tract(especially lower respiratory tract)infections.Methods The device consisted of a refrigeration unit,a heat dissipation unit and a condensation unit.The refrigeration unit adopted a TES1-7102 thermoelectric Peltier cooler semiconductor as the refrigeration element;the heat dissipation unit was composed of a high thermal conductivity aluminum heat sink and a high-speed brushless cooling fan;the condensation unit was made up of a cold guide plate and a condenser,in which the cold guide plate was made of thin sheet of aluminum alloy,and the condenser was prepared by 3D printing technology and made of hydrophobic polylactic acid,with primary and secondary 2-stage guide grooves and an ultra-thin condensing surface.The performance of the device was verified in terms of cooling,thermal conductivity,condensation and human EBC collection and content analysis.Results Performance analysis showed that after refrigeration began the temperature difference between the condenser surface and the exhaled gas met the requirements of the condenser,and no obvious thermal resistance was found on the condensing surface so that large droplets could be formed rapidly and then be collected after the gas-liquid phase change of the exhaled gas on the condensing surface.Human EBC collection and content analysis indicated the device realized home self-collection of EBCs from people of all ages,and the concentrations of interleukins,C-reactive protein and other inflammation-related indexes and the pH value of the collected EBC samples were all correlated with respiratory infections in the subjects.Conclusion The device developed with easy operation avoids the discomfort of blowing collection and the risk of saliva contamination,and is worthy promoting for rapid diagnosis and dynamic monitoring of respiratory tract infection and other related diseases.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(8):32-37]

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]