Instrument separation is a critical complication during root canal therapy, impacting treatment success and long-term tooth preservation. The etiology of instrument separation is multifactorial, involving the intricate anatomy of the root canal system, instrument-related factors, and instrumentation techniques. Instrument separation can hinder thorough cleaning, shaping, and obturation of the root canal, posing challenges to successful treatment outcomes. Although retrieval of separated instrument is often feasible, it carries risks including perforation, excessive removal of tooth structure and root fractures. Effective management of separated instruments requires a comprehensive understanding of the contributing factors, meticulous preoperative assessment, and precise evaluation of the retrieval difficulty. The application of appropriate retrieval techniques is essential to minimize complications and optimize clinical outcomes. The current manuscript provides a framework for understanding the causes, risk factors, and clinical management principles of instrument separation. By integrating effective strategies, endodontists can enhance decision-making, improve endodontic treatment success and ensure the preservation of natural dentition.
Humans ; Root Canal Therapy/adverse effects* ; Consensus ; Root Canal Preparation/adverse effects*

Objective To understand the current situation and dynamic changing trends of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in a tertiary first-class hospital in the northwest of Hunan Province from 2015 to 2024,and provide scientific basis for optimizing infection control strategies.Methods A single-day cross-sectional survey method was employed to investigate the HAI prevalence rates of hospitalized patients on the given survey day each year from 2015 to 2024.The standardized survey protocol on prevalence rate issued by the National Medical Institution Infec-tion Surveillance Network was strictly adhered,lanqingting real-time HAI monitoring management platform was adopted to retrieve cases from the hospital information system,and R4.2.2 was applied for statistical analysis.Results From 2015 to 2024,the prevalence rate of HAI decreased from 3.03％in 2015 to 1.76％in 2024(Z=-3.37,P＜0.001),and the HAI case prevalence rate decreased from 3.55％in 2015 to 2.20％in 2024(Z=-2.81,P=0.005).Department of critical care medicine continuously had the highest HAI case prevalence rate,which presented a downward trend over time(Z=-2.84,P=0.004).The main site of HAI was lower respiratory tract,accounting for 39.36％to 48.15％,bloodstream infection increased from 3.57％in 2015-2016 to 10.60％in 2023-2024(Z=2.41,P=0.016).A total of 302 strains of HAI pathogens were detected,including 212 strains(70.20％)of Gram-negative bacteria,mainly Pseudomonas aeruginosa(n=55,18.21％),Escherichia coli(n=45,14.90％),Acinetobacter baumannii(n=33,10.93％),and Klebsiella pneumoniae(n=31i,10.26％).65 strains(21.52％)of Gram-positive bacteria were identified,with Enterococcus faecium(n=19,6.29％)and Staphylococcus aureus(n=18,5.96％)accounting for the highest proportions.25 fungal strains(8.28％)were detected,mainly Candi-da albicans(n=11,3.64％).The use rate of antimicrobial agents showed a downward trend over the past decade(Z=-4.01,P＜0.001).Therapeutic antimicrobial use accounting for 82.42％,and its proportion increased over time(Z=6.02,P＜0.001).Prophylactic antimicrobial use accounted for 16.42％,showing a decreasing trend(Z=-2.75,P＜0.001).The pathogen detection rate presented an upward trend over the past decade(Z=13.01,P＜0.001).Conclusion The prevalence rate and case prevalence rate of HAI present a downward trend in this hospi-tal.In the future,it is necessary to establish a monitoring data-based dynamic analysis mechanism,achieve timely feedback and intervention in data monitoring,pay attention to high-risk links in department of critical care medicine,implement precise prevention and control mearsures,perform targeted prevention and control for lower respiratory tract,urinary tract,and bloodstream infection,optimize diagnosis and treatment processes,use antimicrobial agents rationally,and pay attention to the prevalence trend of Gram-negative bacteria.

Objective:To investigate factors influencing frequent episodes (≥ 4 episodes within 1 year) in children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in China.Methods:A national multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients under the age of 18 years diagnosed with moderate-to-severe AD were enrolled at dermatology clinics in 18 medical institutions across 12 provinces and municipalities in China between June 12 and August 8, 2023. At the time of the visit, their guardians completed a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, clinical features of AD, personal and family history, factors associated with frequent episodes of moderate-to-severe AD, compliance with treatment, and disease awareness. Statistical analyses included t tests, one-way analysis of variance, rank-sum tests, and chi-square tests, with multiple-response analysis applied for multiple-choice questions. Results:A total of 965 valid questionnaires were collected, and 965 children with moderate-to-severe AD were included. Among them, there were 531 males and 434 females, 678 (70.3%) were aged 2 - < 12 years, 837 (86.7%) were from urban areas, the age at onset was 2.47 ± 3.03 years, and the median frequency of AD episodes in the past year was 4 times. These children were divided into 2 groups based on the median episode frequency: < 4-episode group (439 cases, 45.5%) and ≥ 4-episode group (526 cases, 54.5%). Compared with the < 4-episode group, children in the ≥ 4-episode group showed younger ages at onset (2.22 ± 2.98 years vs. 2.76 ± 3.06 years, P = 0.006) and higher proportions of patients with comorbid allergic diseases in both the children themselves (82.9% [436/526] vs. 69.7% [306/439], χ2 = 23.42, P < 0.001) and their relatives (66.0% [347/526] vs. 57.4% [252/439], χ2 = 7.46, P = 0.006). Children in the ≥ 4- episode group also had higher monthly usage of moisturizers (150 [30, 300] g vs. 60 [6, 200] g) and daily frequency of moisturizer use, greater disease awareness, but more severe fear of medication use (all P < 0.05). The region and the human development index level were both significantly associated with the episode frequency (both P < 0.001), with the highest proportion of children from South China in the ≥ 4- episode group (36.3%, 191/526). Children in the ≥ 4-episode group also had a longer duration of topical glucocorticoid use than those in the < 4-episode group ( Z = -2.21, P = 0.027). External triggers associated with AD episodes mainly included heat exposure (50.36%, 486/965), hot water bathing (40.73%, 393/965), seafood (23.52%, 227/965), and dust mites (33.37%, 322/965) . Conclusion:In children with moderate-to-severe AD in China, factors influencing frequent episodes may include residence in southern or economically developed regions, earlier age at onset, having a personal or family history of allergic diseases, and fear of medication use.

Objective To understand the current situation and dynamic changing trends of healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in a tertiary first-class hospital in the northwest of Hunan Province from 2015 to 2024,and provide scientific basis for optimizing infection control strategies.Methods A single-day cross-sectional survey method was employed to investigate the HAI prevalence rates of hospitalized patients on the given survey day each year from 2015 to 2024.The standardized survey protocol on prevalence rate issued by the National Medical Institution Infec-tion Surveillance Network was strictly adhered,lanqingting real-time HAI monitoring management platform was adopted to retrieve cases from the hospital information system,and R4.2.2 was applied for statistical analysis.Results From 2015 to 2024,the prevalence rate of HAI decreased from 3.03％in 2015 to 1.76％in 2024(Z=-3.37,P＜0.001),and the HAI case prevalence rate decreased from 3.55％in 2015 to 2.20％in 2024(Z=-2.81,P=0.005).Department of critical care medicine continuously had the highest HAI case prevalence rate,which presented a downward trend over time(Z=-2.84,P=0.004).The main site of HAI was lower respiratory tract,accounting for 39.36％to 48.15％,bloodstream infection increased from 3.57％in 2015-2016 to 10.60％in 2023-2024(Z=2.41,P=0.016).A total of 302 strains of HAI pathogens were detected,including 212 strains(70.20％)of Gram-negative bacteria,mainly Pseudomonas aeruginosa(n=55,18.21％),Escherichia coli(n=45,14.90％),Acinetobacter baumannii(n=33,10.93％),and Klebsiella pneumoniae(n=31i,10.26％).65 strains(21.52％)of Gram-positive bacteria were identified,with Enterococcus faecium(n=19,6.29％)and Staphylococcus aureus(n=18,5.96％)accounting for the highest proportions.25 fungal strains(8.28％)were detected,mainly Candi-da albicans(n=11,3.64％).The use rate of antimicrobial agents showed a downward trend over the past decade(Z=-4.01,P＜0.001).Therapeutic antimicrobial use accounting for 82.42％,and its proportion increased over time(Z=6.02,P＜0.001).Prophylactic antimicrobial use accounted for 16.42％,showing a decreasing trend(Z=-2.75,P＜0.001).The pathogen detection rate presented an upward trend over the past decade(Z=13.01,P＜0.001).Conclusion The prevalence rate and case prevalence rate of HAI present a downward trend in this hospi-tal.In the future,it is necessary to establish a monitoring data-based dynamic analysis mechanism,achieve timely feedback and intervention in data monitoring,pay attention to high-risk links in department of critical care medicine,implement precise prevention and control mearsures,perform targeted prevention and control for lower respiratory tract,urinary tract,and bloodstream infection,optimize diagnosis and treatment processes,use antimicrobial agents rationally,and pay attention to the prevalence trend of Gram-negative bacteria.

Objective:To investigate factors influencing frequent episodes (≥ 4 episodes within 1 year) in children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in China.Methods:A national multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients under the age of 18 years diagnosed with moderate-to-severe AD were enrolled at dermatology clinics in 18 medical institutions across 12 provinces and municipalities in China between June 12 and August 8, 2023. At the time of the visit, their guardians completed a structured questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, clinical features of AD, personal and family history, factors associated with frequent episodes of moderate-to-severe AD, compliance with treatment, and disease awareness. Statistical analyses included t tests, one-way analysis of variance, rank-sum tests, and chi-square tests, with multiple-response analysis applied for multiple-choice questions. Results:A total of 965 valid questionnaires were collected, and 965 children with moderate-to-severe AD were included. Among them, there were 531 males and 434 females, 678 (70.3%) were aged 2 - < 12 years, 837 (86.7%) were from urban areas, the age at onset was 2.47 ± 3.03 years, and the median frequency of AD episodes in the past year was 4 times. These children were divided into 2 groups based on the median episode frequency: < 4-episode group (439 cases, 45.5%) and ≥ 4-episode group (526 cases, 54.5%). Compared with the < 4-episode group, children in the ≥ 4-episode group showed younger ages at onset (2.22 ± 2.98 years vs. 2.76 ± 3.06 years, P = 0.006) and higher proportions of patients with comorbid allergic diseases in both the children themselves (82.9% [436/526] vs. 69.7% [306/439], χ2 = 23.42, P < 0.001) and their relatives (66.0% [347/526] vs. 57.4% [252/439], χ2 = 7.46, P = 0.006). Children in the ≥ 4- episode group also had higher monthly usage of moisturizers (150 [30, 300] g vs. 60 [6, 200] g) and daily frequency of moisturizer use, greater disease awareness, but more severe fear of medication use (all P < 0.05). The region and the human development index level were both significantly associated with the episode frequency (both P < 0.001), with the highest proportion of children from South China in the ≥ 4- episode group (36.3%, 191/526). Children in the ≥ 4-episode group also had a longer duration of topical glucocorticoid use than those in the < 4-episode group ( Z = -2.21, P = 0.027). External triggers associated with AD episodes mainly included heat exposure (50.36%, 486/965), hot water bathing (40.73%, 393/965), seafood (23.52%, 227/965), and dust mites (33.37%, 322/965) . Conclusion:In children with moderate-to-severe AD in China, factors influencing frequent episodes may include residence in southern or economically developed regions, earlier age at onset, having a personal or family history of allergic diseases, and fear of medication use.

OBJECTIVE To explore the material basis of the anti-inflammatory effect of the petroleum ether extract from Melastoma dodecandrum by establishing its fingerprint and combining it with cellular pharmacodynamics experiments. METHODS HPLC method was adopted;the fingerprints of 20 batches of petroleum ether extract from M. dodecandrum were drawn using The Similarity Evaluation System of TCM Chromatographic Fingerprint (2012 edition);similarity evaluation and common peak identification were carried out. The lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation model of mice mononuclear macrophages (RAW264.7) was established;the inhibitory rates of nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were used as indexes to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of the petroleum ether extract from M. dodecandrum;grey correlation degree method and partial least square regression analysis were adopted to study the spectrum-effect relationship. Molecular docking was used to validate the binding activity of the anti-inflammatory active ingredients with TNF-α and iNOS protein receptor. RESULTS There were 19 common peaks in the fingerprint of the petroleum ether extract from M. dodecandrum,the similarity of 20 batches of samples ranged from 0.603-0.990,and five components were identified,such as vitexin (peak 5),isovitexin (peak 6),ellagic acid (peak 7),quercetin (peak 9) and luteolin (peak 10). The grey correlation degree between 19 common peaks of the petroleum ether extract from M. dodecandrum and the inhibition rates of NO and TNF-α were all greater than 0.7;peaks 19,13,9 (quercetin),12,5 (vitexin),6 (isovitexin),8,7 (ellagic acid),18,1 were positively correlated with NO inhibition rate,and peaks 8,10 (luteolin),13,15,3,19,17,7 (ellagic acid),18,1 were positively correlated with inhibition rate of TNF-α. The binding energies of vitexin,isovitexin and quercetin with iNOS protein receptor were less than-5.0 kcal/mol. CONCLUSIONS Vitexin,isovitexin and quercetin may be the basis of the anti-inflammatory effect of the petroleum ether extract from M. dodecandrum.

Objective: To analyze the association between different sleep behaviors and overweight and obesity of junior high school students in Yangzhou City, and to provide a basis for policies and interventions related to adolescent health management. Methods: A total of 1 589 students in grades 7-9 from two middle schools in Yangzhou City were selected using the cluster sampling method and were administered with sleep time, bedtime, social jetlag difference, and sleep habits. Results: Totally 64.38% were sleep deprived during the school days, 86.78% went to bed too late, 46.51% had a social jetlag of ≥1 h, and 37.44% took a nap every day(Incluldes holidays and school days). Social jetlag length was statistically different between grades( F =6.97, P < 0.01 ). Girls[(0.95±0.65)h] shown significantly higher social jetlag than the boys[(0.76±0.59)h]( t=6.19, P <0.01). Later bedtime on weekends, later wake up time on weekends and poor sleep behavior were risk factors for overweight and obesity in junior high school students( OR=1.20, 1.14, 1.04, P <0.05). Conclusion Junior high school students had less sleep and later bedtimes with the increase of grade, and weekend bedtimes,wake up times and poor sleep behavior were independently associated with the risk of overweight and obesity in junior high school students. Parents and schools should be instructed to pay attention to their sleep health and carry out adolescent sleep health guidance.

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is abnormally activated in lung cancer. However, the anti-lung cancer effect of mTOR inhibitors as monotherapy is modest. Here, we identified that ginsenoside Rh2, an active component of Panax ginseng C. A. Mey., enhanced the anti-cancer effect of the mTOR inhibitor everolimus both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, ginsenoside Rh2 alleviated the hepatic fat accumulation caused by everolimus in xenograft nude mice models. The combination of everolimus and ginsenoside Rh2 (labeled Eve-Rh2) induced caspase-independent cell death and cytoplasmic vacuolation in lung cancer cells, indicating that Eve-Rh2 prevented tumor progression by triggering paraptosis. Eve-Rh2 up-regulated the expression of c-MYC in cancer cells as well as tumor tissues. The increased c-MYC mediated the accumulation of tribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3)/P62⁺ aggresomes and consequently triggered paraptosis, bypassing the classical c-MYC/MAX pathway. Our study offers a potential effective and safe strategy for the treatment of lung cancer. Moreover, we have identified a new mechanism of TRIB3/P62⁺ aggresomes-triggered paraptosis and revealed a unique function of c-MYC.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe disease with an increasing incidence rate in clinical practice. Although most patients have mild pancreatitis, the fatality rate of severe pancreatitis remains at a relatively high level, and therefore, early-stage, simple, and accurate clinical scoring systems are urgently needed to determine the severity of AP, so as to facilitate effective disease management and symptomatic treatment and reduce the fatality rate of patients. At present, a large number of studies have demonstrated that the scoring systems such as Ranson score, APACHE Ⅱ score, BISAP score, CTSI score, and some serological markers have been used to evaluate the severity and prognosis of AP, but all of them have certain limitations. This article reviews the research advances in the existing scoring systems, single serological markers, and related modified scoring systems in recent years. Through a literature review, it is concluded that there is no a single scoring system or a single indicator that can cover the whole process of AP diagnosis and treatment and accurately judge the severity of AP, and therefore, it is necessary to develop a new scoring system or combine various indicators for comprehensive evaluation.