Objective·To analyze the root canal diameter and taper of mandibular first molars using cone-beam CT(CBCT),investigate age-related changes in these parameters,and propose optimized clinical protocols for root canal preparation.Methods·From October 2022 to October 2023,CBCT images of 240 healthy mandibular first molars(120 three-canal type cases and 120 four-canal type cases)were collected from patients aged 20?59 years at the Stomatology Center,Haikou Affiliated Hospital of Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine.The three-canal type and the four-canal type samples were respectively divided into four age groups(20?29,30?39,40?49,and 50?59 years),with 30 cases in each group.Root canal length was measured,and buccolingual and mesiodistal diameters were recorded at four levels(coronal,middle,apical,and foramen).The tapers of the coronal 1/3,middle 1/3,and apical 1/3 segments were calculated in both buccolingual and mesiodistal directions.Differences among the age groups were compared.Results·The buccolingual diameters of all root canals exceeded the corresponding mesiodistal diameters.At several levels of most root canals,the diameters in the<50-year-old groups were significantly larger than those in the 50?59-year-old group(P<0.05).The buccolingual tapers exceeded the corresponding mesiodistal tapers in all root canals of mandibular first molars.The mean mesiodistal tapers in different age groups ranged from 0.07 to 0.34 in the coronal 1/3 segment,0.03 to 0.09 in the middle 1/3 segment,and 0.05 to 0.11 in the apical 1/3 segment.At several levels of most root canals,the tapers in the<50-year-old groups were significantly larger than those in the 50?59-year-old group(P<0.05).Conclusion·Mandibular first molars exhibit age-related narrowing of root canal diameter and reduced taper in individuals aged≥50 years.For initial apical file selection,#15 files are recommended for the distal canals in the three-canal type,while#10 files are advised for all other canals in the three-canal type and all canals in the four-canal type.For patients aged 50 years or older,the files for the distal canals in the three-canal type can be adjusted to#10,and the files for the mesiobuccal and distallingual canals in the four-canal type to#8.Regarding preparation taper,a 0.08-taper orifice opener is recommended for the coronal 1/3 segment.During mid-lower segment preparation,0.04-taper master apical files are suggested for the mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals in the three-canal type and the mesiolingual and distallingual canals in the four-canal type,0.06-taper files for the distal canals in the three-canal type and the mesiobuccal canals in the four-canal type,and 0.08-taper files for the distobuccal canals in the four-canal type.Root canal obturation is recommended to be performed using vertical compaction with large-taper gutta-percha cones combined with bioceramic sealer.

Objective To analyze the current status of health resources and medical service utilization in children's hos-pitals in China in 2022,explore existing challenges,and propose targeted solutions.Methods This study evaluated the develop-ment of health resources and service utilization patterns in children's hospitals based on 2022 data.Results Children's hospi-tals exhibited a"dumbbell-shaped"structure in bed capacity distribution,with severe polarization between small-scale and large-scale facilities.Insufficient human resources and excessive workloads were prominent,particularly for physicians.Additionally,outpatient services faced high pressure,while inpatient resources were underutilized.Conclusion To address these issues,we recommend optimizing the hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system by leveraging medical consortiums for resource allocation,enhancing pediatric physician training and adopting technology to alleviate workloads,and improving inpatient service models with dynamic resource allocation to address seasonal demand fluctuations.

Microvascular aging is a complex physiological process associated with advancing age.The aging and dysfunction of microvascular endothelial cells serve as critical markers of this phenomenon, characterized by increased expression of inflammatory factors, heightened oxidative stress, and structural damage to the microvasculature.This process is closely linked to age-related diseases such as diabetes in the elderly and cardiovascular disorders, significantly impacting the quality of life and overall health of older adults.Biomarkers, including the reactive hyperemia index, circulating endothelial progenitor cells, and extracellular microvesicles, play a vital role in assessing microvascular health and predicting cardiovascular events.Interventions targeting microvascular aging, which encompass lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy, and strategies aimed at preserving microvascular structure and endothelial cell function, hold promise for delaying or reversing the process of microvascular aging.

This study investigated the effect of small RNA ncBCG201 on the stress adaptation and intracellular survival of Myco-bacterium bovis.Differentially expressed ncRNAs were screened with RNA-seq after BCG infection of THP-1 macrophages.The ncBCG201 overexpression strain was constructed,and its stress survival,growth,biofilm formation,and intracellular survival were assessed.The ncBCG201 strain showed slower growth and earlier entry into stationary phase.Survival significantly increased under car-bon starvation but decreased under membrane pressure.Biofilm formation capability decreased.Intracellular survival in THP-1 macro-phages at 24 h and 48 h was significantly higher than observed in the control.Therefore,ncBCG204 enhances BCG survival within macrophages by modulating stress adaptability.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of zoledronic acid in patients with Paget′s disease of bone based on clinical data from a single medical center.Methods:This retrospective study included 24 patients diagnosed with Paget′s disease of bone and treated with zoledronic acid at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2009 and June 2020. Demographic data, clinical symptoms, treatment efficacy, and safety outcomes were collected. The primary efficacy measure was serum alkaline phosphatase(ALP) levels. Treatment was considered effective if ALP levels returned to normal or decreased by more than 75% from baseline in the difference between the ALP level and its normal median value.Results:Among the 24 patients with Paget′s bone disease, the most commonly affected site was the skull(in 17 cases). All patients received a single 5 mg intravenous infusion of zoledronic acid. Serum ALP levels significantly decreased after treatment. Among the 15 patients who completed at least 3 months of follow-up, all achieved treatment success. The median time for serum ALP levels to reach the target was 13.1(9.4, 26.1) weeks. In 12 patients, ALP levels normalized within a medium of 16.9(11.5, 37.3) weeks, and remained stable over a medium follow-up of 4.56(2.42, 5.71) years. The most common side effects were hypocalcemia(21 cases, 87.5%) and flu-like symptoms(17 cases, 70.8%). Seven patients had severe hypocalcemia(serum calcium<1.75 mmol/L), and they had higher baseline levels of ALP, calcium, and phosphorus compared to those with mild hypocalcemia.Conclusions:Zoledronic acid 5 mg intravenous infusion effectively controlled disease activity in patients with Paget′s disease of bone. Generally, Most patients achieved treatment goals within 3-4 months, with sustained remission for a median of 4 years. Hypocalcemia was the most frequent side effect, underscoring the importance of timely calcium and vitamin D supplementation.

Objective To systematically evaluate the factors that promote and hinder exercise in frail older adults,and to provide references for the formulation of exercise intervention programs.Methods We searched PubMed,Web of Science,Embase,CINAHL,Cochrane library,CNKI,Wanfang,VIP database,and China Biomedical Literature Database for qualitative studies on exercise facilitators and hindrances in frail older adults,and the search time period was from the establishment of the databases to September 1,2024.The quality of the literature was evaluated using the Joanna Brigg Institute Australian Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care Quality Assessment Criteria for Qualitative Research(2016),and the results were integrated by integrating methods.Results A total of 18 studies were included,and 72 research results were extracted,and 10 categories were summarized.The final synthesis included 2 integrated results:the facilitators included personal exercise motivation,physical and psychological benefits,positive interpersonal interactions,multiple social support systems and person-centred exercise programme;the impediments included underlying diseases and somatic functional limitations,negative psychological status,low health literacy,family role conflicts and limits of the environment.Conclusion Exercise for frail older adults is affected by a variety of factors.Healthcare professionals should improve the positive perception of exercise for frail older people and help them overcome psychological barriers;establish an all-round support system to enhance the sense of social contact of the frail elderly;formulate a personalised exercise programme with a human-centred approach to enhance the motivation of the frail elderly.

Objective·To analyze the root canal diameter and taper of mandibular first molars using cone-beam CT(CBCT),investigate age-related changes in these parameters,and propose optimized clinical protocols for root canal preparation.Methods·From October 2022 to October 2023,CBCT images of 240 healthy mandibular first molars(120 three-canal type cases and 120 four-canal type cases)were collected from patients aged 20?59 years at the Stomatology Center,Haikou Affiliated Hospital of Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine.The three-canal type and the four-canal type samples were respectively divided into four age groups(20?29,30?39,40?49,and 50?59 years),with 30 cases in each group.Root canal length was measured,and buccolingual and mesiodistal diameters were recorded at four levels(coronal,middle,apical,and foramen).The tapers of the coronal 1/3,middle 1/3,and apical 1/3 segments were calculated in both buccolingual and mesiodistal directions.Differences among the age groups were compared.Results·The buccolingual diameters of all root canals exceeded the corresponding mesiodistal diameters.At several levels of most root canals,the diameters in the<50-year-old groups were significantly larger than those in the 50?59-year-old group(P<0.05).The buccolingual tapers exceeded the corresponding mesiodistal tapers in all root canals of mandibular first molars.The mean mesiodistal tapers in different age groups ranged from 0.07 to 0.34 in the coronal 1/3 segment,0.03 to 0.09 in the middle 1/3 segment,and 0.05 to 0.11 in the apical 1/3 segment.At several levels of most root canals,the tapers in the<50-year-old groups were significantly larger than those in the 50?59-year-old group(P<0.05).Conclusion·Mandibular first molars exhibit age-related narrowing of root canal diameter and reduced taper in individuals aged≥50 years.For initial apical file selection,#15 files are recommended for the distal canals in the three-canal type,while#10 files are advised for all other canals in the three-canal type and all canals in the four-canal type.For patients aged 50 years or older,the files for the distal canals in the three-canal type can be adjusted to#10,and the files for the mesiobuccal and distallingual canals in the four-canal type to#8.Regarding preparation taper,a 0.08-taper orifice opener is recommended for the coronal 1/3 segment.During mid-lower segment preparation,0.04-taper master apical files are suggested for the mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals in the three-canal type and the mesiolingual and distallingual canals in the four-canal type,0.06-taper files for the distal canals in the three-canal type and the mesiobuccal canals in the four-canal type,and 0.08-taper files for the distobuccal canals in the four-canal type.Root canal obturation is recommended to be performed using vertical compaction with large-taper gutta-percha cones combined with bioceramic sealer.

This study investigated the effect of small RNA ncBCG201 on the stress adaptation and intracellular survival of Myco-bacterium bovis.Differentially expressed ncRNAs were screened with RNA-seq after BCG infection of THP-1 macrophages.The ncBCG201 overexpression strain was constructed,and its stress survival,growth,biofilm formation,and intracellular survival were assessed.The ncBCG201 strain showed slower growth and earlier entry into stationary phase.Survival significantly increased under car-bon starvation but decreased under membrane pressure.Biofilm formation capability decreased.Intracellular survival in THP-1 macro-phages at 24 h and 48 h was significantly higher than observed in the control.Therefore,ncBCG204 enhances BCG survival within macrophages by modulating stress adaptability.

Objective To analyze the current status of health resources and medical service utilization in children's hos-pitals in China in 2022,explore existing challenges,and propose targeted solutions.Methods This study evaluated the develop-ment of health resources and service utilization patterns in children's hospitals based on 2022 data.Results Children's hospi-tals exhibited a"dumbbell-shaped"structure in bed capacity distribution,with severe polarization between small-scale and large-scale facilities.Insufficient human resources and excessive workloads were prominent,particularly for physicians.Additionally,outpatient services faced high pressure,while inpatient resources were underutilized.Conclusion To address these issues,we recommend optimizing the hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system by leveraging medical consortiums for resource allocation,enhancing pediatric physician training and adopting technology to alleviate workloads,and improving inpatient service models with dynamic resource allocation to address seasonal demand fluctuations.

Objective To systematically evaluate the factors that promote and hinder exercise in frail older adults,and to provide references for the formulation of exercise intervention programs.Methods We searched PubMed,Web of Science,Embase,CINAHL,Cochrane library,CNKI,Wanfang,VIP database,and China Biomedical Literature Database for qualitative studies on exercise facilitators and hindrances in frail older adults,and the search time period was from the establishment of the databases to September 1,2024.The quality of the literature was evaluated using the Joanna Brigg Institute Australian Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care Quality Assessment Criteria for Qualitative Research(2016),and the results were integrated by integrating methods.Results A total of 18 studies were included,and 72 research results were extracted,and 10 categories were summarized.The final synthesis included 2 integrated results:the facilitators included personal exercise motivation,physical and psychological benefits,positive interpersonal interactions,multiple social support systems and person-centred exercise programme;the impediments included underlying diseases and somatic functional limitations,negative psychological status,low health literacy,family role conflicts and limits of the environment.Conclusion Exercise for frail older adults is affected by a variety of factors.Healthcare professionals should improve the positive perception of exercise for frail older people and help them overcome psychological barriers;establish an all-round support system to enhance the sense of social contact of the frail elderly;formulate a personalised exercise programme with a human-centred approach to enhance the motivation of the frail elderly.