Objective: To evaluate the performance of 5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in visualizing dental pulp and periodontal ligament (PDL) tissues in vivo in the young adult population, thereby providing a basis for the application of high-field MRI technology in clinical oral examinations. Methods: The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the hospital. A total of 15 healthy volunteers (413 permanent teeth altogether) were recruited and underwent full-mouth 5T MRI scans. Among them, six volunteers (168 permanent teeth) also received both 3T MRI and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Two dental specialists independently evaluated the imaging quality of the dental pulp and PDL on the images using a 5-point Likert scale and recorded the number of detectable root canals for each tooth. Inter-rater agreement was assessed using weighted kappa statistics and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Non-parametric tests were employed to compare differences in imaging performance among different tissue structures, tooth positions, and imaging modalities. Results: 5T MRI can achieve in vivo imaging for most dental pulp tissues and partial periodontal membrane structures. There was a high level of agreement between the two raters in their imaging scores for the dental pulp and PDL (dental pulp κ = 0.934, PDL κ = 0.737). The imaging scores for dental pulp were significantly higher than those for PDL (P < 0.001), and the scores for molar dental pulp were lower than those for premolars and anterior teeth. In the multimodal comparison involving six volunteers, the raters showed good consistency in scoring dental pulp and PDL imaging across 5T MRI, 3T MRI, and CBCT, as well as in root canal counts (5T MRI for dental pulp κ = 0.971, 3T MRI for dental pulp κ = 0.933, CBCT for dental pulp κ = 0.964; 5T MRI for PDL κ = 0.625, 3T MRI for PDL κ = 0.667, CBCT for PDL κ = 0.571; ICC for root canal counts all ≥ 0.990). The imaging scores for dental pulp and PDL using 5T MRI were significantly higher than those using 3T MRI (dental pulp: P < 0.001; PDL: P = 0.022), but there was no statistically significant difference in the detection rate of the number of root canals between the two (P > 0.05). Although the imaging scores for dental pulp and PDL as well as the detection rate of the number of root canals with 5T MRI were inferior to those with CBCT (dental pulp: P < 0.001; PDL: P = 0.02; number of root canals: P < 0.05), 5T MRI can truly achieve "direct imaging" of these two soft tissues. Conclusion 5T MRI enables effective in vivo direct imaging of dental pulp and PDL tissues in the young adult population, indicating its potential clinical application value in the diagnosis and treatment of pulp and periodontal diseases.

The promulgation of the Technical Specifications for Clinical Use of Blood (2025 Edition) signifies that China's clinical blood transfusion management has transitioned from mere technical operations to a new stage centered on patient blood management (PBM). Through an in-depth comparison of the new and old specifications, this paper analyzes the core transformations regarding conceptual reconstruction, legal alignment, technological upgrades, and closed-loop management. The new specifications establish PBM principles, reinforce legal safeguards for informed consent and emergency treatment, and construct a comprehensive, refined quality control system by specifying compatibility testing standards and introducing a post-transfusion evaluation system. Medical institutions should seize this opportunity to update management protocols and information systems, deepen multidisciplinary collaboration, and drive the profound transformation of clinical blood use from focusing solely on safety assurance to placing equal emphasis on science and value.

Objective:To validate the usefulness of copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) in detecting the deletion/duplication of the DMD gene in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)/Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) patients. Methods:One hundred and seventy-seven cases who visited the Department of Medical Genetics, Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology/the First People′s Hospital of Yunnan Province from April 2018 to November 2023 were collected. All patients had previously accepted multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) to detect the deletion/duplication of the DMD gene, including 90 cases of normal control with a negative result of MLPA and 87 cases with the deletion or duplication of the DMD gene (61 cases of DMD and 26 cases of BMD). CNV-seq was performed in a single-blind manner to detect DMD gene deletion or duplication for all of 177 cases to obtain the detection efficiency of CNV-seq in comparison with MLPA. Results:Comparing to MLPA, CNV-seq had a coincidence rate of 88.7% (157/177) for detecting DMD gene deletion/duplication, with a sensitivity of 77.0% (67/87), a specificity and a positive predictive value of both 100.0% (90/90 and 67/67, respectively), a negative predictive value of 81.8% (90/110), and a Kappa value of 0.773. Of the 87 patients with the deletion or duplication of the DMD gene, CNV-seq detected 67 cases with DMD gene deletion/duplication, including 62 cases with deletion and 5 cases with duplication, with fragment ranging from 150 to 750 kb. While CNV-seq missed 23.0% (20/87) of positive cases, mainly due to the involved fragments spanning only 1 to 4 exons, and with a variation size less than 50 kb, below the resolution (100 kb) of CNV-seq. The detection rate of CNV-seq in BMD cases (84.6%, 22/26) was a little higher than that in DMD cases (73.8%, 45/61), but there was no significant difference between 2 subgroups ( χ2=1.211, P=0.271). The results of CNV-seq in normal controls were all negative, and consistent with the results of MLPA. Conclusion:CNV-seq can detect 77.0% (67/87) of deletion/duplication of the DMD gene in patients with DMD/BMD, while the deletion/duplication less than 100 kb may be inevitably unidentified, therefore it is recommended as an assistant screening technique in prenatal diagnosis for DMD gene deletion or duplication.

Microwave thermochemotherapy (MTC) has been applied to treat lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), but a deeper understanding of its therapeutic mechanisms and molecular biology is needed. To address this, we used single-cell transcriptomics (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics (ST) to highlight the pivotal role of tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) among tumor-infiltrating immune cells and their therapeutic response to MTC. MNDA⁺ TANs with anti-tumor activity (N1-phenotype) are found to be abundantly infiltrated by MTC with benefit of increased blood perfusion, and these TANs are characterized by enhanced cytotoxicity, ameliorated hypoxia, and upregulated IL1B, activating T&NK cells and fibroblasts via IL1B-IL1R. In this highly anti-tumor immunogenic and hypoxia-reversed microenvironment under MTC, fibroblasts accumulated in the tumor front (TF) can recruit N1-TANs via CXCL2-CXCR2 and clear N2-TANs (pro-tumor phenotype) via CXCL12-CXCR4, which results in the aggregation of N1-TANs and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. In addition, we construct an N1-TANs marker, MX2, which positively correlates with better prognosis in LSCC patients, and employ deep learning techniques to predict expression of MX2 from hematoxylin-eosin (H&E)-stained images so as to conveniently guide decision making in clinical practice. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the N1-TANs/fibroblasts defense wall formed in response to MTC effectively combat LSCC.
Humans ; Neutrophils/metabolism* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Lip Neoplasms/genetics* ; Hyperthermia, Induced/methods* ; Microwaves/therapeutic use* ; Transcriptome ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/immunology* ; Tumor Microenvironment

Radiochemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (OM) is a common oral complication in patients with tumors following head and neck radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Erosion and ulcers are the main features of OM that seriously affect the quality of life of patients and even the progress of tumor treatment. To date, differences in clinical prevention and treatment plans for OM have been noted among doctors of various specialties, which has increased the uncertainty of treatment effects. On the basis of current research evidence, this expert consensus outlines risk factors, clinical manifestations, clinical grading, ancillary examinations, diagnostic basis, prevention and treatment strategies and efficacy indicators for OM. In addition to strategies such as basic oral care, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents, anti-infective agents, pro-healing agents, and photobiotherapy recommended in previous guidelines, we also emphasize the role of traditional Chinese medicine in OM prevention and treatment. This expert consensus aims to provide references and guidance for dental physicians and oncologists in formulating strategies for OM prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, standardizing clinical practice, reducing OM occurrence, promoting healing, and improving the quality of life of patients.
Humans ; Chemoradiotherapy/adverse effects* ; Consensus ; Risk Factors ; Stomatitis/etiology*

This study aimed to comprehensively examine the association of gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to estimate the observational associations of gallstones and cholecystectomy with cancer risk, using data from a nationwide cohort involving 239 799 participants. General and gender-specific two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was further conducted to assess the causalities of the observed associations. Observationally, a history of gallstones without cholecystectomy was associated with a high risk of stomach cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50-4.28), liver and bile duct cancer (aOR=2.46, 95% CI 1.17-5.16), kidney cancer (aOR=2.04, 95% CI 1.05-3.94), and bladder cancer (aOR=2.23, 95% CI 1.01-5.13) in the general population, as well as cervical cancer (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.12-2.56) in women. Moreover, cholecystectomy was associated with high odds of stomach cancer (aOR=2.41, 95% CI 1.29-4.49), colorectal cancer (aOR=1.83, 95% CI 1.18-2.85), and cancer of liver and bile duct (aOR=2.58, 95% CI 1.11-6.02). MR analysis only supported the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer. This study added evidence to the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer, highlighting the importance of cancer screening in individuals with gallstones.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Gallstones/complications* ; Female ; Male ; Cholecystectomy/statistics & numerical data* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Aged ; Adult ; Neoplasms/etiology* ; Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology*

[Objective] To analyze the effects of different factors and red blood cell transfusion thresholds on the efficacy of neonatal red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, in order to provide more references for neonatal transfusions to better achieve rational and effective blood use. [Methods] A retrospective collection of data from 282 neonates who received RBC transfusions at our hospital from 2022 to 2023 was conducted, including birth weight, gestational age, number of blood transfusions, length of hospital stay, assisted ventilation during RBC transfusion, and laboratory test results before and after transfusion. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis to comprehensively analyze the impact of different factors on the efficacy of RBC transfusion in neonates. [Results] The results showed that the gestational age and weight of newborns at birth were negatively correlated with their length of hospital stay and the number of RBC transfusions during hospitalization. Newborns with younger gestational age and lower weight had longer hospital stays and more RBC transfusions during hospitalization. After administering RBCs according to the standard of 15 mL/kg, there was a statistically significant difference in the efficacy of RBC transfusion at different transfusion thresholds. In non-critical situations, RBC transfusions were ineffective when the pre-transfusion hemoglobin (Hb) level was >120 g/L. When the pre-transfusion Hb level was ≤70 g/L, RBC transfusions achieved higher efficacy in both critical and non-critical situations. [Conclusion] In critical situations, the group with pre-transfusion Hb values ≤ 70 g/L has the best RBC transfusion effect, while in non-critical situations, the group with pre-transfusion Hb levels between 81 and 90 g/L has the best RBC transfusion effect. Overall, the efficacy of RBC transfusion in non-critical situations is higher than that in critical situations.

In January 2025， the European Society for Medical Oncology （ESMO） released the ESMO clinical practice guideline interim update on the management of biliary tract cancer as a supplementary update to Biliary tract cancer： ESMO clinical practice guideline for diagnosis， treatment and follow-up published in November 2022. This interim update mainly revises the latest evidence-based medical recommendations in the key fields of molecular diagnostics and clinical management since the release of the original guidelines， and it is not a comprehensive update of the entire document. This article summarizes and makes an excerpt of the new recommendations from this interim update.

Objective: To investigate the sleep quality in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and its influencing factors, providing a basis for developing sleep intervention measures to reduce the impact of BMS symptoms. Methods: This study was reviewed and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee, and informed consent was obtained from patients. A total of 150 patients with BMS and 150 healthy volunteers were enrolled as subjects in this study. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was used to assess the sleep quality of patients with BMS. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess the degree of oral mucosal pain, generalized anxiety disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) was used to assess the frequency of anxiety symptoms, and the patient health questionnaire depression questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to assess the frequency of depression symptoms. Univariate analysis was performed to identify potential influencing factors affecting sleep quality in patients with BMS, and multiple linear regression analysis was employed to determine independent risk factors. Results: The PSQI score for patients with BMS was 7.61 ± 4.29, which was significantly higher than that of healthy controls (P = 0.016). In the PSQI subscale analysis, patients with BMS exhibited increased sleep latency, decreased sleep duration, and lower sleep efficiency compared to healthy controls (P<0.05). Patients with BMS and comorbid sleep difficulties had significantly higher scores on GAD-7 and PHQ-9 compared to the patients with BMS without sleep difficulties (P<0.001), but there was no significant difference in pain VAS scores between the two (P = 0.068). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that longer disease duration (>6 months), the presence of systemic concomitant symptoms (such as headache and mental stress), and higher depression scores were identified as independent risk factors affecting sleep quality in patients with BMS. Conclusion For patients with BMS, long course of illness, presence of headaches, high mental stress, and depressive symptoms may be independent factors affecting their sleep quality.

Objective To investigate the effect of health failure mode and effect analysis(HFMEA)in optimizing the management process of postoperative diabetes insipidus in children undergoing neurosurgery.Methods Based on HFMEA,a management flowchart for postoperative diabetes insipidus in children undergoing neurosurgery was created.Brainstorming was adopted to identify failure modes in the workflow,analyze risk factors,and develop improvement measures,thereby refining the management flowchart.The amelioration and prognosis of diabetes insipidus in these children before(October 2022 to November 2023)and after(January 2024 to February 2025)implementation of the management flowchart were compared.Results The HFMEA-based management process for postoperative diabetes insipidus in children undergoing neurosurgery alleviated the symptoms of diabetes insipidus regarding the number of diabetes insipidus in the pediatric intensive care unit(P=0.006),the average daily urine output in the pediatric intensive care unit(P=0.001),the proportion of electrolyte abnormalities at discharge/transfer(P=0.037),the duration of mechanical ventilation(P=0.007),and the length of stay in the intensive care unit(P=0.001).Conclusion The HFMEA-based management process for postoperative diabetes insipidus in children undergoing neurosurgery is beneficial to the optimization of the management process,the alleviation of postoperative diabetes insipidus,and the improvement of prognosis in these children.
Humans ; Diabetes Insipidus/etiology* ; Neurosurgical Procedures/adverse effects* ; Child ; Postoperative Complications/therapy* ; Healthcare Failure Mode and Effect Analysis ; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric ; Risk Factors