Objective: To investigate the dynamic changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and self-esteem (SE) across different stages of adolescent orthodontic treatment and the influence of psychosocial factors, thereby providing scientific evidence for the clinical development of individualized treatment protocols that integrate both functional correction and psychological intervention. Methods : This study was reviewed and approved by the medical ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained from patients. A cross-sectional design was employed to randomly select 355 adolescent patients with malocclusion (133 pre-treatment, 112 during treatment, and 110 post-treatment) who received care at the Department of Stomatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University in April 2025. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 was used to assess OHRQoL levels, the Global Self-Esteem Scale (GSE) was used to evaluate SE levels, and an additional questionnaire on dental appearance-related psychosocial aspects was administered. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare differences between treatment stage groups, followed by Dunn post hoc tests. Spearman correlation analysis was employed to assess the associations between variables, including orthodontic treatment stages, OHRQoL, and SE, as well as SE and dental appearance-related psychosocial aspects. Results : OHRQoL and its four dimensional scores showed significant differences across different stages of orthodontic treatment. Specifically, the total OHIP-14 score showed no significant difference between pre-treatment and during treatment [12.0 (7.0, 18.0) vs. 13.0 (9.0, 17.0)], but significantly decreased to 4.0 (0.8, 11.0) post-treatment (P<0.001). The total scores for physical pain and discomfort dimension and physical disability dimension demonstrated a pattern of during treatment > pre-treatment > post-treatment (P<0.05). The total scores for handicap dimension showed no significant difference between pre-treatment and during treatment, but post-treatment scores were significantly lower than both pre-treatment and during treatment levels (P < 0.001). The total scores for psychological discomfort dimension showed a significant decreasing trend across treatment stages (P<0.001). The total GSE score showed significant differences only between pre-treatment and during treatment [18.0 (12.0, 23.0) vs. 13.5 (9.3, 20.8), P=0.014], with recovery to 14.0 (12.0, 18.0) post-treatment. Different treatment stages showed a moderate negative correlation with total OHIP-14 score (r=-0.362, P<0.001) and a weak negative correlation with total GSE score (r=-0.104, P=0.049). The appearance satisfaction index showed a significant increasing trend across treatment stages (P<0.001), while being teased about teeth and hiding teeth and avoiding smiling index significantly decreased (both P<0.001). Being teased about teeth index (r=0.349, P<0.001) and hiding teeth and avoiding smiling index (r=0.412, P<0.001) were significantly correlated with total GSE score. Conclusion Adolescents undergoing orthodontic treatment experience a significant improvement in quality of life, with self-esteem levels notably increasing during the mid-treatment phase and a continuous reduction in negative psychosocial experiences related to dental appearance. This suggests that orthodontists should prioritize psychological support and social adaptation guidance throughout the treatment process, with consistent attention to changes in patients’ self-esteem.

Objective:To document any effect of repeated high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) using double-cone coils on the lower limb motor function of stroke survivors.Methods:A total of 40 stroke survivors were randomly divided into an rTMS group and a sham stimulation group, each of 20. The rTMS group received rTMS at 10Hz with a double-cone coil, while a coil that produced sound but no magnetic stimulation was used with the sham group. The treatments were administered daily, five times a week, for three weeks. Before as well as after 1, 2 and 3 weeks of treatment, lower limb motor function, balance, and the root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MF) of the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-LE), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Brunnstrom staging, the TecnoBody balance assessment system, and surface electromyography.Results:Compared with the sham stimulation group, the BBS score of the rTMS group was significantly higher after 2 weeks of treatment, and both the FMA-LE and BBS scores were significantly higher after 3 weeks. The average Brunnstrom stage in the sham group had increased significantly after 3 weeks, but in the rTMS group it had increased after 2 weeks. By 3 weeks there were no significant differences between the two groups. In terms of movement control, the average motion ellipse area in the rTMS group was significantly smaller than among the sham group after 2 weeks, and after 3 weeks the average motion trajectory length was significantly shorter than in the sham group. The average RMS of the rectus femoris in the rTMS group was significantly higher than the sham group′s average after 3 weeks of treatment, indicating improved muscle activation.Conclusions:High-frequency rTMS using a conical coil can effectively improve the lower limb motor function and balance ability of stroke survivors, demonstrating promising clinical application potential.

Objective:To document any effect of repeated high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) using double-cone coils on the lower limb motor function of stroke survivors.Methods:A total of 40 stroke survivors were randomly divided into an rTMS group and a sham stimulation group, each of 20. The rTMS group received rTMS at 10Hz with a double-cone coil, while a coil that produced sound but no magnetic stimulation was used with the sham group. The treatments were administered daily, five times a week, for three weeks. Before as well as after 1, 2 and 3 weeks of treatment, lower limb motor function, balance, and the root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MF) of the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-LE), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Brunnstrom staging, the TecnoBody balance assessment system, and surface electromyography.Results:Compared with the sham stimulation group, the BBS score of the rTMS group was significantly higher after 2 weeks of treatment, and both the FMA-LE and BBS scores were significantly higher after 3 weeks. The average Brunnstrom stage in the sham group had increased significantly after 3 weeks, but in the rTMS group it had increased after 2 weeks. By 3 weeks there were no significant differences between the two groups. In terms of movement control, the average motion ellipse area in the rTMS group was significantly smaller than among the sham group after 2 weeks, and after 3 weeks the average motion trajectory length was significantly shorter than in the sham group. The average RMS of the rectus femoris in the rTMS group was significantly higher than the sham group′s average after 3 weeks of treatment, indicating improved muscle activation.Conclusions:High-frequency rTMS using a conical coil can effectively improve the lower limb motor function and balance ability of stroke survivors, demonstrating promising clinical application potential.

Biliary fibrosis (BF) is the result of pathological repair of bile tract injury, characterized by thickening and sclerosis of the bile duct wall and progressive stricture of the lumen, which may ultimately lead to serious adverse outcomes such as biliary obstruction, biliary cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatobiliary malignancies. Current research describes BF as a pathological feature of certain bile tract diseases, lacking a systematic summary of its etiology, pathophysiology, molecular mechanisms, and treatment. BF is a common but easily neglected disease state in biliary system, which may promote the development and progression of hepatobiliary diseases through abnormal repair mechanism after pathological biliary tract injury. Based on the latest research progress from both domestic and international perspectives, the authors review the concept, clinical manifestation, etiology, pathogenesis, and therapeutic strategies of BF to provide a reference for clinical physicians.

Objective To explore the core acupoints and compatibility rules of acupuncture and moxibustion for epilepsy by using complex network method. Methods A prescription database was established through inclusion and exclusion criteria for searching literatures for databases from China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, Wanfang, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Pubmed. SPSS Modeler software was used to analyze the frequency and correlation of acupoints, and Gephi0.10.1 software was used to establish a complex network model to explore the core acupoints and acupoint selection rules of prescriptions for epilepsy. Results Ultimately, 144 valid literatures were included, 199 prescriptions were extracted, involving 102 acupoints. Baihui acupoint had the highest frequency of use, specific acupoints were mainly Five-shu acupoint, the Eight Meridian Intersection acupoint, and the Back-shu acupoint. In selection of meridians, most acupoints were selected from governor meridian. Association rule analysis showed that Baihui-Taichong had the highest level of support and confidence. The analysis of complex network topology showed that 36 acupoints such as Baihui, Dazhui, Yaoqi and Fenglong were the core acupoints in the treatment of epilepsy by acupuncture and moxibustion. The analysis of acupoint communities revealed three major acupoint groups including governor meridian passing through treatment group, far and near matching acupoint group of the four limbs and head, and differentiation group of Zang-fu and body fluid for epilepsy treatment. Conclusion Acupoint compatibility of epilepsy by acupuncture and moxibustion should be mainly based on principle of the governor meridian combined with the differentiation of viscera and body fluid, and attention should be paid to distal-proximal point association.

As cell aggregates in three-dimensional culture derived from primary tissues or stem cells, organoids possess the ability to self-organize into organotypic structures, mimic the cellular microenvironment, and represent tissue physiology. The thyroid′s follicular tissue plays a crucial role in thyroid hormone biosynthesis. Despite prolonged in vitro expansion of thyroid follicles from adult tissues and pluripotent stem cells have been expanded for a long time, the development of thyroid organoid technology still encounters numerous challenges. Establishing a comprehensive thyroid organoid that closely mimics the human body′s actual conditions remains a research challenge. This article reviews the development process of thyroid, the related applications of existing thyroid organoid models and the methods employed in the construction.

OBJECTIVE To establish the quality standard of the leaves of Litchi chinensis Sonn.. METHODS The identification of medicinal properties, microscopic characteristics, TLC and content determination method of the leaves of Litchi chinensis Sonn. was conducted. The moisture, total ash, acid insoluble ash and extract of the leaves of Litchi chinensis Sonn. were determined according to Chinese Pharmacopoeia(Volume IV), 2020. RESULTS The leaves of Litchi chinensis Sonn. under forest exhibited specific properties in characteristics, microscopic features and TLC results. The moisture content of the medicinal materials was 2.66%-6.42%, the total ash content was 2.96%-4.52%, the acid insoluble ash content was 0.17%-0.94%, the water soluble extract was 15.38%-19.87%, and the alcohol soluble extract was 24.94%-30.33%. The eight components of gallic acid, protocatechin, catechin, epicatechin, rutin, astragalin, quercetin and kaempferol had a good linear relationship in 0.003 3-0.052 0 mg·mL-1, 0.006 9-0.109 6 mg·mL-1, 0.013 0-0.208 0 mg·mL-1, 0.057 5-0.920 0 mg·mL-1, 0.013 4-0.213 6 mg·mL-1, 0.013 2-0.211 2 mg·mL-1, 0.002 9-0.045 6 mg·mL-1, 0.003 6-0.056 8 mg·mL-1(r>0.999). The average sample recovery rate was 97.43%-102.97% and the RSD was 1.70%-2.90%. CONCLUSION The established quality standard of the leaves of Litchi chinensis Sonn. medicinal material has good specificity, accuracy and reproducibility, which can be used for quality control research of the leaves of Litchi chinensis Sonn..

ObjectiveBased on serum pharmacochemistry and ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS） the transitional components in the serum of rats after intragastric administration of water extract of Alismatis Rhizoma（AR）and salt-processed Alismatis Rhizoma（SAR） were compared. MethodSD rats were randomly divided into blank group, AR group（10 g·kg^-1） and SAR group（10 g·kg^-1）, 3 rats in each group, the administration groups were given AR and SAR aqueous extracts by gavage, respectively, and the blank group was given an equal volume of drinking water by gavage once in the morning and once in the evening, for 3 consecutive days. Sixty minutes after the last administration, blood was collected from the eye orbits, and the serum samples were prepared. The serum samples were prepared on an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column（2.1 mm×50 mm, 1.7 μm） with the mobile phase of acetonitrile（A）-0.1% formic acid aqueous solution（B） in a gradient elution（0-10 min, 10%-50% A; 10-27 min, 50%-95%A; 27-27.1 min, 95%-10% A; 27.1-30 min, 10%A）, the data were collected at a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min^-1 in positive ion mode with a scanning range of m/z 100-1 200. Based on the self-constructed chemical composition library of AR, the total ion flow diagrams and secondary MS fragmentation information of the aqueous extracts of AR and SAR, as well as the administered serum and the blank serum, were compared with each other by UNIFI 1.9.2, so as to deduce the possible blood-migrating constituents and their cleavage patterns in the aqueous extracts, and the response intensity ratios of each chemical component were calculated before and after processing. ResultA total of 20 components, including 5 prototypical components and 15 metabolites, were analyzed and deduced from the serum of rats given aqueous extract of AR. And 14 components, including 5 prototypical components and 9 metabolites, were analyzed and deduced from the serum of rats given aqueous extract of SAR. Of these, 13 components were common to both of them, including 5 prototypical components and 8 metabolites. The 5 prototypical components were 16-oxoalisol A, alisol A 24-acetate, alisol A, alisol B and alisol C. The metabolites were mainly involved in phase Ⅰ metabolism（oxidation） and phase Ⅱ metabolism（glucuronidation）. There was a big change in the intensity of response of the common components before and after salt-processing, and the response intensities of the prototypical components, 16-oxoalisol A, alisol B and alisol C, were elevated, while the type and response intensity of metabolites were generally decreased, and it was hypothesized that the metabolic rate of terpenoids might be slowed down after salt-processing of AR, so that the blood-migrating constituents could participate in the metabolism of the body more in the form of prototypes. ConclusionSalt-processing of AR may promote the absorption of prototypical components into the blood by slowing down the metabolic rate of terpenoids, which can provide support for the research on material basis of AR and SAR.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of microemulsion on the distribution of index components in different phases of Zexietang extract based on high performance liquid chromatography（HPLC） and phase separation process. MethodParticle size meter and transmission electron microscope were used to characterize the colloidal particles in blank microemulsion， aqueous extract of Zexietang and microemulsion extract of Zexietang. The phase separation process was established by high-speed centrifugation and dialysis， and based on this process， the aqueous extract and microemulsion extract of Zexietang were separated into the true solution phase， the colloidal phase and the precipitation phase， respectively. The contents of six components， including atractylenolide Ⅲ， atractylenolide Ⅱ， 23-acetyl alisol C， alisol A， alisol B and alisol B 23-acetate， were determined by HPLC with the mobile phase of water（A）-acetonitrile（B） for gradient elution（0-5 min， 40%-43%B； 5-20 min， 43%-45%B； 20-45 min. 45%-60%B； 45-75 min， 60%-80%B）. The solubility of the index components in water and microemulsion was determined by saturation solubility method. ResultThe colloidal particles in the aqueous extract， microemulsion extract and blank microemulsion were all spherical， and the particle size， polydispersity index（PDI） and Zeta potential of the colloidal particles were in the order of aqueous extract >microemulsion extract >blank microemulsion. The results of phase separation showed that the colloidal phase and the true solution phase could be completely separated by dialysis for 2.5 h， and the phase separation process was tested to be stable and feasible. Compared with the aqueous extract of Zexietang， the use of microemulsion as an extraction solvent could increase the contents of atractylenolide Ⅲ， 23-acetyl alisol C， atractylenolide Ⅱ ， alisol A， alisol B and alisol B 23-acetate by 3.75， 6.82， 35.47， 10.66， 35.41， 27.75-fold， and could increase the extraction efficiencies of the latter five constituents by 2.03， 1.15， 1.70， 6.43， 5.53 times. The solubility test showed that the microemulsion could significantly improve the solubility of atractylenolide Ⅱ， alisol A， alisol B and alisol B 23-acetate， but it had less effect on the solubility of atractylenolide Ⅲ and 23-acetyl alisol C. ConclusionMicroemulsion can improve the extraction efficiency and increase the distribution of the index components in the colloidal phase state of Zexietang to different degrees， providing a reference for the feasibility of microemulsion as an extraction solvent for traditional Chinese medicine.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the pharmacological effect of Alismatis Rhizoma （AR） and its processed product on rats with edema of kidney Yin deficiency and explore the mechanism. MethodA total of 42 male SPF SD rats were randomized into normal group （equivalent volume of distilled water）， model group （equivalent volume of distilled water）， positive medicine Liuwei Diguangwan group （1.4 g·kg^-1）， low- and high-dose AR groups （1， 4 g·kg^-1， respectively）， and low- and high-dose salt-processed AR （SAR） groups （1， 4 g·kg^-1， respectively）， with six rats in each group. Adriamycin （tail vein injection） and thyroxine （gavage） were used to induce edema of kidney Yin deficiency in rats except the normal group. The administration lasted 4 weeks for all the groups. After the last administration， histopathological changes of rat kidneys were observed based on hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Serum content of triiodothyronine （T₃）， thyroxine （T₄）， follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， and testosterone （T） was determined by radioimmunoassay， and serum content of creatinine （CREA）， urea （UREA），cholesterol （CHOL） and triglyceride （TG） by automatic biochemical analyser. The levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH）， cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP）， and cyclic guanosine monophosphate （cGMP） in plasma were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and the expression of aquaporin（AQP）-1 and AQP-2 and the transcription of mRNA in kidney were measured by immunohistochemistry and real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）， respectively. ResultCompared with normal group， the rats in model group showed decrease in body mass and urine volume （P<0.01）， increase in water consumption （P<0.05）， infiltration of a large number of inflammatory cells and fibrous tissue proliferation in the kidney， rise of the expression and transcript levels of T₃， T₄， cAMP/cGMP， CREA， FSH， AQP-1， and AQP-2 （P<0.01）， the contents of CHOL and TG were significantly increased （P<0.05）， and reduction in the levels of GnRH and T （P<0.01）. Body mass increased in both the low- and high- dose groups of AR and SAR compared with that in model group， with significant differences between the low-dose AR group and the low-dose SAR group （P<0.01）. Moreover， compared with model group， low- and high-dose AR and SAR insignificantly increased the urine volume of rats， reduced the inflammatory cells in kidney tissues， significantly decreased the levels of T₄， cAMP/cGMP， UREA， CREA， FSH， CHOL and TG in serum （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and elevated the level of GnRH （P<0.01）， high-dose AR， low- and high-dose SAR significantly lowered the transcription levels of AQP-1 and AQP-2 mRNA in the kidneys of rats （P<0.01）. ConclusionBoth AR and SAR alleviated the edema of kidney Yin deficiency in rats by down-regulating the expression of AQP-1 and AQP-2 and correcting the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal （HPG） axis disorder.