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.

ObjectiveTo investigate the short-term knee function recovery of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) after discharge and analyze its related factors. MethodsFrom December, 2022 to April, 2023, 140 adult patients who underwent TKA in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital and being about to be discharged were selected as the survey subjects using convenient sampling. Potential influencing factors were selected based on a literature review. They were investigated with general information questionnaire, Rehabilitation Exercise Compliance Scale, Self-Efficacy Scale for Rehabilitation Exercise (SER), Visual Analog Scale for pain (VAS), and joint range of motion measurements before discharge, and were investigated with the Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score (HSS) one month after discharge. ResultsA total of 130 patients finished follow-up. One month after discharge, the HSS score ranged from 40 to 82, with an average of (70.89±6.26). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that Body Mass Index (B = -0.423, 95%CI -0.622 to -0.224, P < 0.001), pre-discharge VAS (B = -1.016, 95%CI -1.198 to -0.113, P = 0.028), rehabilitation exercise compliance (B = 0.267, 95%CI 0.121 to 0.413, P < 0.001), SER (B = 0.478, 95%CI 0.315 to 0.642, P < 0.001), and knee joint flexion contracture angle (B = -0.251, 95%CI -0.414 to -0.088, P = 0.003) could influence HSS score one month after discharge (R² = 0.615, F =17.106, P < 0.001). ConclusionPatients after TKA have recovered well in short time after discharge, however, there is still significant room for improvement. Clinical healthcare providers should design and implement appropriate interventions based on related factors to improve the function.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technology has the characteristics of high specificity and high throughput, making it rapidly applied and developed in the field of clinical testing. Its application in the monitoring of therapeutic drugs can effectively improve the quantitative accuracy and sensitivity, and formulate a personalized and optimal dosing plan for patients. However, this technology still faces some challenges, and automation, quality control, and quantitative traceability will be the future development direction.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of stiff left atrial syndrome (SLAS) after Mei mini maze procedure for atrial fibrillation (AF), and to explore its risk factors and treatments. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of the patients who underwent Mei mini maze procedure in Xinhua Hospital between 2010 and 2020. According to whether SLAS occurred in the early postoperative period, patients were divided into a SLAS group and a non-SLAS group. The basic data, perioperative echocardiogram and laboratory test indexes of the two groups were compared. Results A total of 1 056 patients were collected. There were 672 (63.6%) males with an average age of 63.6±9.3 years, including 489 patients with persistent AF and 567 patients with paroxysmal AF. Fourteen (14/1 056, 1.3%) patients developed SLAS, with an average occurrence time of 2.1±1.1 days after the surgery. The average follow-up time of the whole group was 21.4±7.8 months. Two patients in the SLAS group developed SLAS again after discharge, and the occurrence time was 3 weeks and 4 weeks after the operation, respectively; while no SLAS occurred after discharge in the non-SLAS group. Diabetes and small preoperative left atrial diameter were risk factors for SLAS after surgery. Patients with SLAS had a good prognosis after adequate diuretic therapy. Conclusion The incidence of SLAS after Mei mini maze procedure for AF is low, and it mostly occurs in the early postoperative period. After adequate diuretic treatment, the prognosis is good.

Objective To explore the clinical effect of clinical observation of supplemented wendan decoction combined with Western medicine in treating insomnia accompanied by anxiety and depression in phlegm-heat internal disturbance syndrome.Methods A total of 120 cases of insomnia with anxiety and depression comorbiditis with phlegm heat disturbance syndrome were randomly divided into control group and treatment group,60 cases in each group.The control group was given escitalopram oxalate tablet combined with dexzopiclonone tablet,and the observation group was given added Wendan decoction on the basis of the control group.Both groups were treated continuously for 6 weeks.Polysomnography monitoring parameters and heart rate variability were compared between the two groups during baseline period and visit 2(baseline period+3 months).Scale scores of the two groups were compared during baseline period,visit 1(baseline period+6 weeks)and visit 2.The content of heart rate variability includes:time domain analysis(standard deviation of normal interval(SDNN),square root of the square sum of the mean of the difference between adjacent normal interval(RMSSD)and frequency domain analysis(LF,HF,LF/HF).The scale scores included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)and Insomnia Severity Index(ISI)to assess sleep status,and the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Self-assessment Scale for Depression(PHQ-9)and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale(GAD-7)to assess anxiety and depression status.Results(1)Polysomnography monitoring:the wake time of observation group was significantly shorter than that of control group,the number of awakenings was significantly less than that of control group,and the percentage of N3 and REM was significantly higher than these of control group(P＜0.05).(2)Heart rate variability:RMSSD and HF values in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group,and LF/HF values were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).(3)In terms of sleep:during the interview,PSQI total score,sleep quality,hypnotic drugs and daytime dysfunction in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05);At the 3 months,the sleep quality,hypnotic drugs and daytime dysfunction in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).In terms of emotion:HAMA,HAMD and GAD-7 scores were significantly lower than those of control group at 6 weeks(P＜0.05);At the 3 months,HAMA and GAD-7 scores were significantly lower than those of control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Supplemented Wendan decoction combined with western medicine can obviously optimize the sleep structure of insomnia patients with anxiety and depressionof phlegm-heat disturbance syndrome,improve sleep continuity and deepen sleep depth,and improve parasympathetic functional activities,contribute to sympathetic parasympathetic balance,can improve insomniaand depression symptoms recently,and significantly improve anxiety symptoms in the short term,with good safety.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab in pediatric myasthenia gravis (MG).Methods:Case series study. The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, treatment plans and prognosis of 27 pediatric MG patients treated with rituximab from June 2013 to June 2023 at Children′s Medical Center of Peking University First Hospital were retrospectively collected.Results:There were 5 males and 22 females in 27 MG children. The onset age was 2.1 (1.6, 4.8) years, ranging from 8 months to 11 years. The clinical classification included 20 children (74%) of ocular MG and 7 children (26%) of generalized MG. Seventeen children (63%) had positive MG-related pathogenic antibodies, including 17 children of anti-AchR antibody and 1 of them also had anti-MuSK antibody. Rituximab was used as first-line immunosuppressant in 13 children, second-line immunosuppressant in 13 children and third-line immunosuppressant in 1 child. Immunosuppressants used before rituximab including 8 children of cyclosporine, 3 children of tacrolimus, 1 child of azathioprine, 1 child of mycophenolate mofetil and 1 child of cyclosporine combined with azathioprine. Rituximab was used for at least half a year with a follow-up period of more than 12 months. At the last follow-up after rituximab treatment, all children achieved improved or above, 14 children (52%) achieved complete stable remission, 7 children (26%) achieved pharmacologic remission, 1 child (4%) achieved minimal manifestations, and 5 children (18%) improved. After rituximab treatment, 27 children all could reduce the immunomodulation therapy and shorten the course of glucocorticoid therapy, and 22 children (81%) had stopped the glucocorticoid therapy. Among the 14 children with poor efficacy of other immunosuppressants, rituximab had complete stable remission of 7 children. The most common adverse reaction was respiratory infection (4 children (15%)). Only 2 children had allergic reaction to rituximab and got better after symptomatic treatment.Conclusions:Rituximab has good efficacy and tolerance in pediatric MG. Early application of rituximab can improve the prognosis and shorten the course of glucocorticoid treatment.

The problems caused by proximal contact loss(PCL)of dental implants have been a mainstream research topic in recent years,and scholars are unanimously committed to analyzing their causes and related factors,aiming to identify solutions to the problems related to PCL.The effects of the anterior component of force(ACF),the lifelong re-molding of the adult craniofacial jaw and alveolar socket,and the osseointegration characteristics of dental implants are the main causes of PCL.On the one hand,the closing movement of the mandible causes the ACF of the tooth to move through the posterior molar cusp.Moreover,drifting between the upper and lower posterior teeth and mandibular anteri-or teeth can cause the anterior teeth of the upper and lower jaws to be displaced labially.On the other hand,reconstruc-tion of the jaw,alveolar socket and tooth root,the forward horizontal force of the masticatory muscles,the dynamic com-ponent of the jaw and the forward force generated by the oblique plane of the tooth cusp can cause the natural tooth to experience near-middle drift.Additionally,natural teeth can shift horizontally and vertically and rotate to accommodate remodeling of the stomatognathic system and maintain oral function.Nevertheless,the lack of a natural periodontal mem-brane during implant osseointegration,the lack of a physiological basis for near-medium drift,the small average degree of vertical motion and the integrated silence of dental implants without the overall drift characteristics of natural teeth increases the probability of PCL.The high incidence of PCL is clearly associated with the duration of prosthesis delivery and the mesial position;but it is also affected by the magnitude of the bite force,occlusion,the adjacent teeth,restora-tion design,implant location,jaw,and patient age and sex.PCL has shown a significant correlation with food impaction,but not a one-to-one correspondence,and did not meet the necessary and sufficient conditions.PCL is also associated with peri-implant lesions as well as dental caries.PCL prevention included informed consent,regular examinations,se-lection of retention options,point of contact enhancement,occlusal splints,and the application of multipurpose digital crowns.Management of the PCL includes adjacent contact point additions,orthodontic traction,and occlusal adjust-ment.Existing methods can solve the problem of food impaction in the short term with comprehensive intervention to seek stable,long-term effects.Symmetric and balanced considerations will expand the treatment of issues caused by PCL.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are common clinical conditions. The number of patients with TMJ diseases is large, and the etiology, epidemiology, disease spectrum, and treatment of the disease remain controversial and unknown. To understand and master the current situation of the occurrence, development and prevention of TMJ diseases, as well as to identify the patterns in etiology, incidence, drug sensitivity, and prognosis is crucial for alleviating patients′suffering.This will facilitate in-depth medical research, effective disease prevention measures, and the formulation of corresponding health policies. Cohort construction and research has an irreplaceable role in precise disease prevention and significant improvement in diagnosis and treatment levels. Large-scale cohort studies are needed to explore the relationship between potential risk factors and outcomes of TMJ diseases, and to observe disease prognoses through long-term follw-ups. The consensus aims to establish a standard conceptual frame work for a cohort study on patients with TMJ disease while providing ideas for cohort data standards to this condition. TMJ disease cohort data consists of both common data standards applicable to all specific disease cohorts as well as disease-specific data standards. Common data were available for each specific disease cohort. By integrating different cohort research resources, standard problems or study variables can be unified. Long-term follow-up can be performed using consistent definitions and criteria across different projects for better core data collection. It is hoped that this consensus will be facilitate the development cohort studies of TMJ diseases.

Objective:To investigate the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors on reducing residual lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer.Methods:The cohort of this retrospective study comprised patients from Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University who had undergone systemic treatment prior to gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and had achieved Grade 1 primary tumor regression (TRG1) from January 2014 to December 2023. After exclusion of patients who had undergone preoperative radiotherapy, data of 58 patients (Nanfang Hospital: 46; First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University: 12) were analyzed. These patients were allocated to preoperative chemotherapy (Chemotherapy group, N=36 cases) and preoperative immunotherapy plus chemotherapy groups (Immunotherapy group, N=22 cases). There were no significant differences between these groups in sex, age, body mass index, diabetes, tumor location, pathological type, Lauren classification, tumor differentiation, pretreatment depth of invasion by primary tumor, pretreatment lymph node stage, pretreatment clinical stage, mismatch repair protein status, number of preoperative treatment cycles, or duration of preoperative treatment (all P>0.05). The primary outcome measure was postoperative lymph node downstaging. Secondary outcomes included postoperative depth of invasion by tumor, number of lymph nodes examined, and factors affecting residual lymph node metastasis status. Results:Lymph node downstaging was achieved significantly more often in the Immunotherapy group than the Chemotherapy group (pN0: 90.9% [20/22] vs. 61.1% [22/36]; pN1: 4.5% [1/22] vs. 36.1% [13/36]; pN2: 4.5% [1/22) vs. 0; pN3: 0 vs. 2.8% [1/36], Z=-2.315, P=0.021). There were no significant difference between the two groups in number of lymph nodes examined (40.5±16.3 vs. 40.8±17.5, t=0.076, P=0.940) or postoperative depth of invasion by primary tumor (pT1a: 50.0% [11/22] vs. 30.6% [11/36]; pT1b: 13.6% [3/22] vs. 19.4% [7/36]; pT2: 13.6% [3/22] vs. 13.9% [5/36]; pT3: 13.6% [3/22] vs. 25.0% [9/36]; pT4a: 9.1% [2/22] vs. 11.1% [4/36], Z=-1.331, P=0.183). Univariate analysis revealed that both preoperative treatment regimens were associated with residual lymph node metastasis status in patients whose primary tumor regression was TRG1 (χ 2=6.070, P=0.014). Multivariate analysis incorporated the following factors: pretreatment depth of invasion by primary tumor, pretreatment lymph node stage, pretreatment clinical stage, number of preoperative treatment cycles, and preoperative treatment duration. We found that a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy administered preoperatively was an independent protective factor for reducing residual lymph node metastases in study patients whose primary tumor regression was TRG1 (OR=0.147, 95%CI: 0.026–0.828, P=0.030). Conclusion:Compared with preoperative chemotherapy alone, a combination of preoperative immunotherapy and chemotherapy achieved greater reduction of residual lymph node metastases in the study patients who achieved TRG1 tumor regression in their primary lesions.

Objective:To investigate the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors on reducing residual lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer.Methods:The cohort of this retrospective study comprised patients from Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University who had undergone systemic treatment prior to gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and had achieved Grade 1 primary tumor regression (TRG1) from January 2014 to December 2023. After exclusion of patients who had undergone preoperative radiotherapy, data of 58 patients (Nanfang Hospital: 46; First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University: 12) were analyzed. These patients were allocated to preoperative chemotherapy (Chemotherapy group, N=36 cases) and preoperative immunotherapy plus chemotherapy groups (Immunotherapy group, N=22 cases). There were no significant differences between these groups in sex, age, body mass index, diabetes, tumor location, pathological type, Lauren classification, tumor differentiation, pretreatment depth of invasion by primary tumor, pretreatment lymph node stage, pretreatment clinical stage, mismatch repair protein status, number of preoperative treatment cycles, or duration of preoperative treatment (all P>0.05). The primary outcome measure was postoperative lymph node downstaging. Secondary outcomes included postoperative depth of invasion by tumor, number of lymph nodes examined, and factors affecting residual lymph node metastasis status. Results:Lymph node downstaging was achieved significantly more often in the Immunotherapy group than the Chemotherapy group (pN0: 90.9% [20/22] vs. 61.1% [22/36]; pN1: 4.5% [1/22] vs. 36.1% [13/36]; pN2: 4.5% [1/22) vs. 0; pN3: 0 vs. 2.8% [1/36], Z=-2.315, P=0.021). There were no significant difference between the two groups in number of lymph nodes examined (40.5±16.3 vs. 40.8±17.5, t=0.076, P=0.940) or postoperative depth of invasion by primary tumor (pT1a: 50.0% [11/22] vs. 30.6% [11/36]; pT1b: 13.6% [3/22] vs. 19.4% [7/36]; pT2: 13.6% [3/22] vs. 13.9% [5/36]; pT3: 13.6% [3/22] vs. 25.0% [9/36]; pT4a: 9.1% [2/22] vs. 11.1% [4/36], Z=-1.331, P=0.183). Univariate analysis revealed that both preoperative treatment regimens were associated with residual lymph node metastasis status in patients whose primary tumor regression was TRG1 (χ 2=6.070, P=0.014). Multivariate analysis incorporated the following factors: pretreatment depth of invasion by primary tumor, pretreatment lymph node stage, pretreatment clinical stage, number of preoperative treatment cycles, and preoperative treatment duration. We found that a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy administered preoperatively was an independent protective factor for reducing residual lymph node metastases in study patients whose primary tumor regression was TRG1 (OR=0.147, 95%CI: 0.026–0.828, P=0.030). Conclusion:Compared with preoperative chemotherapy alone, a combination of preoperative immunotherapy and chemotherapy achieved greater reduction of residual lymph node metastases in the study patients who achieved TRG1 tumor regression in their primary lesions.