ObjectiveTo characterize the evidence distribution and methodological quality of randomized controlled trials （RCTs） on oral Chinese herbal medicine （CHM） for atopic dermatitis （AD） based on evidence mapping. MethodsSeven databases （CNKI， Wanfang Data， VIP， CBM， Cochrane Library， PubMed， and Embase） and the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry were searched for the RCTs in Chinese and English. Evidence distribution was presented graphically and textually， and methodological quality was assessed via the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool （ROB 1.0）. ResultsA total of 168 RCTs were included. The number of annual publications showing an increasing trend， and 72.6% RCTs had sample sizes of 51-100 participants. The studies evaluated 108 distinct CHM interventions categorized as decoctions， granules， Chinese patent medicines， and extracts. Compound Glycyrrhizin was the most frequently used， followed by Xiaofengsan and Chushi Weiling decoction. Among the RCTs， 57.1% had the treatment courses of 4-8 weeks. Outcome measures predominantly focused on clinical response rate， skin lesion severity scores， and adverse events， with less attention to TCM symptom scores， skin barrier function， and relapse rates. The overall risk of bias was generally high. ConclusionWhile CHM for AD is a research hotspot and demonstrates clinical advantages， the related studies have problems such as unclear clinical positioning， poor research standardization and methodological quality， and insufficient prominence of TCM clinical advantages. Large-sample， methodologically rigorous， and high-quality studies are needed to enhance the evidence base for CHM in treating AD.

ObjectiveTo characterize the evidence distribution and methodological quality of randomized controlled trials （RCTs） on oral Chinese herbal medicine （CHM） for atopic dermatitis （AD） based on evidence mapping. MethodsSeven databases （CNKI， Wanfang Data， VIP， CBM， Cochrane Library， PubMed， and Embase） and the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry were searched for the RCTs in Chinese and English. Evidence distribution was presented graphically and textually， and methodological quality was assessed via the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool （ROB 1.0）. ResultsA total of 168 RCTs were included. The number of annual publications showing an increasing trend， and 72.6% RCTs had sample sizes of 51-100 participants. The studies evaluated 108 distinct CHM interventions categorized as decoctions， granules， Chinese patent medicines， and extracts. Compound Glycyrrhizin was the most frequently used， followed by Xiaofengsan and Chushi Weiling decoction. Among the RCTs， 57.1% had the treatment courses of 4-8 weeks. Outcome measures predominantly focused on clinical response rate， skin lesion severity scores， and adverse events， with less attention to TCM symptom scores， skin barrier function， and relapse rates. The overall risk of bias was generally high. ConclusionWhile CHM for AD is a research hotspot and demonstrates clinical advantages， the related studies have problems such as unclear clinical positioning， poor research standardization and methodological quality， and insufficient prominence of TCM clinical advantages. Large-sample， methodologically rigorous， and high-quality studies are needed to enhance the evidence base for CHM in treating AD.

The policy of long-term prescription for chronic diseases in China is gradually being improved and implemented， and external long-term prescription dispensing is being encouraged. The long-term prescription policy runs through the links of drug supply， equipment， use and policy， involving government departments such as medical security and health， as well as stakeholders such as patients， medical institutions and designated detail pharmacies. There are still some problems in the external dispensing of long-term prescriptions， such as the disunity of drug catalogue and the need for coordination among regulatory parties in the policy link； the need to improve the participation enthusiasm and service ability in the equipment link； the increased difficulty of prescription management， the need to improve the circulation platform in the use link. The promotion of external long-term prescription policy requires health insurance， medical service， and the medicine industry co-development， multi-party participation， and policy coordination. Among them， the “dual channel” policy， the policy of centralized medicine procurement， and the pharmacy included in outpatient overall management policy have all played a positive role in promoting the implementation of external long-term prescription dispensing for chronic diseases. It is necessary to improve supporting policies and implement regulatory responsibilities in the policy link， promote drug classification and service capabilities in the equipment link， improve the electronic prescription circulation platform， and strengthen prescription management in use link， so as to promote the implementation of external long-term prescription dispensing.

Objective:To investigate the current situation of the use of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for portal hypertension, which should aid the development of TIPS in China.Methods:The China Portal Hypertension Alliance (CHESS) initiated this study that comprehensively investigated the basic situation of TIPS for portal hypertension in China through network research. The survey included the following: the number of surgical cases, main indications, the development of Early-TIPS, TIPS for portal vein cavernous transformation, collateral circulation embolization, intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurement, commonly used stent types, conventional anticoagulation and time, postoperative follow-up, obstacles, and the application of domestic instruments.Results:According to the survey, a total of 13 527 TIPS operations were carried out in 545 hospitals participating in the survey in 2021, and 94.1% of the hospital had the habit of routine follow-up after TIPS. Most hospitals believed that the main indications of TIPS were the control of acute bleeding (42.6%) and the prevention of rebleeding (40.7%). 48.1% of the teams carried out early or priority TIPS, 53.0% of the teams carried out TIPS for the cavernous transformation of the portal vein, and 81.0% chose routine embolization of collateral circulation during operation. Most of them used coils and biological glue as embolic materials, and 78.5% of the team routinely performed intraoperative portal pressure gradient measurements. In selecting TIPS stents, 57.1% of the hospitals woulel choose Viator-specific stents, 57.2% woulel choose conventional anticoagulation after TIPS, and the duration of anticoagulation was between 3-6 months (55.4%). The limitation of TIPS surgery was mainly due to cost (72.3%) and insufficient understanding of doctors in related departments (77.4%). Most teams accepted the domestic instruments used in TIPS (92.7%).Conclusions:This survey shows that TIPS treatment is an essential part of treating portal hypertension in China. The total number of TIPS cases is far from that of patients with portal hypertension. In the future, it is still necessary to popularize TIPS technology and further standardize surgical indications, routine operations, and instrument application.

Objective To summarize the application of double valve ring enlargement combined with mitral Chimney technique (Chimney Commando) in the secondary valve replacement and to analyze the efficacy in the near and medium term. Methods Patients who underwent the secondary aortic valve and mitral valve (double valve) replacement by Chimney Commando in Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital from 2019 to 2022 were included, and their clinical data were retrospectively collected to analyze the safety and feasibility of this procedure in secondary valve replacement of small aortic root patients. Results A total of 49 patients (44 females and 5 males) were included. The body surface area was 1.64±0.17 m2. The time from the first operation was 13.10±5.90 years. Except for 4 patients whose first operation was valvuloplasty, the remaining 45 patients were all patients after valve replacement, 41 patients of double valves replacement, including 39 patients with mechanical valve and 2 patients with biological valve. The majority of the aortic valves were St.Jude regent 19 mm or St.Jude regent 21 mm, accounting for 30.61% and 34.69%, respectively. The mitral valves were predominantly St.Jude 25 mm mechanical valves, making up 65.31%. All patients underwent Chimney Commando double valve ring enlargement, and the mean time of aortic occlusion was 154.00±45.40 min. The mean size of the aortic valve was 23.90±1.40 mm and that of the mitral valve was 28.20±1.20 mm, and the transvalvular pressure difference across the aortic valve was 20.16±5.76 mm Hg at 6 months postoperatively. There was one death during hospitalization due to multi-organ failure. The follow-up time ranged from 1 to 24 months with a median time of 8 months. Two patients were implanted with permanent pacemakers during the follow-up period and 1 patient died due to massive stroke and malignant arrhythmia. Conclusion Chimney Commando is safe and effective in patients with secondary double valve replacement, and the postoperative prosthetic valves have good hemodynamics, and can achieve good clinical results in the near and medium term.

ObjectiveTo explore the prevalence and influencing factors of multimorbidity among the HIV-infected individuals receiving anti-viral therapy (ART) in Dehong Prefecture of Yunnan Province, so as to provide a reference for the long-term follow-up management of HIV-infected patients and the comprehensive prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the multimorbidity burden among the HIV-infected adults receiving ART in Dehong Prefecture from January to July 2021 and a self-designed questionnaire was used to analyze relevant disease indicators. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors of multimorbidity among the HIV-infected individuals. ResultsA total of 3 946 HIV-infected individuals receiving ART were enrolled in this study, of which 63.7% aged ≤50 years, with a male to female ratio of 1.1∶1. Among the 3 946 cases, 825 of them had ≥2 comorbidities, with a co-prevalence rate of 20.9% (95%CI:19.6%‒22.2%), and the main comorbidities were dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that 40≤ aged <50 years (aOR=1.86, 95%CI: 1.45‒2.40, P<0.001), 50≤ aged ≤85 years (aOR=3.75, 95%CI: 2.93‒4.80, P<0.001), Dai nationality (aOR=1.21, 95%CI: 1.01‒1.47, P=0.043), BMI≥24.0 kg∙m^-2 (aOR=1.79, 95%CI: 1.49‒2.14, P<0.001), 10.0≤ with ART duration for <12.5 years (aOR=1.49, 95%CI: 1.05‒2.12, P=0.024), with ART duration for ≥12.5 years (aOR=1.50, 95%CI: 1.05‒2.15, P=0.026), use of second-line HIV therapy (aOR=1.43, 95%CI: 1.19‒1.70, P<0.001) and other therapy options (aOR=3.16, 95%CI: 2.17‒4.61, P<0.001) were positively correlated with multimorbidity. ConclusionThe prevalence of multimorbidity among the HIV-infected individuals receiving ART in Dehong Prefecture is high, which is associated with the advancing age and prolonged treatment time, particularly with a significant burden of dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension. Comprehensive surveillance and targeted management of comorbidities, along with ART follow-up, need to be strengthened in the future.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features and outcomes of adolescence-onset methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) and explore preventive strategies.Methods:This was a retrospective case analysis of the phenotypes, genotypes and prognoses of adolescence-onset MMA patients. There were 55 patients diagnosed in Peking University First Hospital from January 2002 to June 2023, the data of symptoms, signs, laboratory results, gene variations, and outcomes was collected. The follow-ups were done through WeChat, telephone, or clinic visits every 3 to 6 months.Results:Among the 55 patients, 31 were males and 24 were females. The age of onset was 12 years old (range 10-18 years old). They visited clinics at Tanner stages 2 to 5 with typical secondary sexual characteristics. Nine cases (16%) were trigged by infection and 5 cases (9%) were triggered by insidious exercises. The period from onset to diagnosis was between 2 months and 6 years. Forty-five cases (82%) had neuropsychiatric symptoms as the main symptoms, followed by cardiovascular symptoms in 12 cases (22%), kidney damage in 7 cases (13%), and eye disease in 12 cases (22%). Fifty-four cases (98%) had the biochemical characteristics of methylmalonic acidemia combined with homocysteinemia, and 1 case (2%) had the isolated methylmalonic acidemia. Genetic diagnosis was obtained in 54 cases, with 20 variants identified in MMACHC gene and 2 in MMUT gene. In 53 children with MMACHC gene mutation,1 case had dual gene variants of PRDX1 and MMACHC, with 105 alleles. The top 5 frequent variants in MMACHC were c.482G>A in 39 alleles (37%), c.609G>A in 17 alleles (16%), c.658_660delAAG in 11 alleles (10%), c.80A>G in 10 alleles (10%), c.567dupT and c.394C>T both are 4 alleles (4%). All patients recovered using cobalamin, L-carnitine, betaine, and symptomatic therapy, and 54 patients (98%) returned to school or work.Conclusions:Patients with adolescence-onset MMA may triggered by fatigue or infection. The diagnosis is often delayed due to non-specific symptoms. Metabolic and genetic tests are crucial for a definite diagnosis. Treatment with cobalamin, L-carnitine, and betaine can effectively reverse the prognosis of MMA in adolescence-onset patients.

Chemical cleaning and disinfection are crucial steps for eliminating infection in root canal treatment.However,irrigant selection or irrigation procedures are far from clear.The vapor lock effect in the apical region has yet to be solved,impeding irrigation efficacy and resulting in residual infections and compromised treatment outcomes.Additionally,ambiguous clinical indications for root canal medication and non-standardized dressing protocols must be clarified.Inappropriate intracanal medication may present side effects and jeopardize the therapeutic outcomes.Indeed,clinicians have been aware of these concerns for years.Based on the current evidence of studies,this article reviews the properties of various irrigants and intracanal medicaments and elucidates their effectiveness and interactions.The evolution of different kinetic irrigation methods,their effects,limitations,the paradigm shift,current indications,and effective operational procedures regarding intracanal medication are also discussed.This expert consensus aims to establish the clinical operation guidelines for root canal irrigation and a position statement on intracanal medication,thus facilitating a better understanding of infection control,standardizing clinical practice,and ultimately improving the success of endodontic therapy.

Malocclusion,identified by the World Health Organization(WHO)as one of three major oral diseases,profoundly impacts the dental-maxillofacial functions,facial esthetics,and long-term development of～260 million children in China.Beyond its physical manifestations,malocclusion also significantly influences the psycho-social well-being of these children.Timely intervention in malocclusion can foster an environment conducive to dental-maxillofacial development and substantially decrease the incidence of malocclusion or reduce the severity and complexity of malocclusion in the permanent dentition,by mitigating the negative impact of abnormal environmental influences on the growth.Early orthodontic treatment encompasses accurate identification and treatment of dental and maxillofacial morphological and functional abnormalities during various stages of dental-maxillofacial development,ranging from fetal stages to the early permanent dentition phase.From an economic and societal standpoint,the urgency for effective early orthodontic treatments for malocclusions in childhood cannot be overstated,underlining its profound practical and social importance.This consensus paper discusses the characteristics and the detrimental effects of malocclusion in children,emphasizing critical need for early treatment.It elaborates on corresponding core principles and fundamental approaches in early orthodontics,proposing comprehensive guidance for preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatment,serving as a reference for clinicians engaged in early orthodontic treatment.

Optogenetics combines optics and genetic engineering to control specific gene expression and biological functions and has the advantages of precise spatiotemporal control,noninvasiveness,and high efficiency.Genetically modified photosensory sensors are engineered into proteins to modulate conformational changes with light stimulation.Therefore,optogenetic techniques can provide new insights into oral biological processes at different levels,ranging from the subcellular and cellular levels to neural circuits and behavioral models.Here,we introduce the origins of optogenetics and highlight the recent progress of optogenetic approaches in oral and craniofacial research,focusing on the ability to apply optogenetics to the study of basic scientific neural mechanisms and to establish different oral behavioral test models in vivo(orofacial movement,licking,eating,and drinking),such as channelrhodopsin(ChR),archaerhodopsin(Arch),and halorhodopsin from Natronomonas pharaonis(NpHR).We also review the synergic and antagonistic effects of optogenetics in preclinical studies of trigeminal neuralgia and maxillofacial cellulitis.In addition,optogenetic tools have been used to control the neurogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells in translational studies.Although the scope of optogenetic tools is increasing,there are limited large animal experiments and clinical studies in dental research.Potential future directions include exploring therapeutic strategies for addressing loss of taste in patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),studying oral bacterial biofilms,enhancing craniomaxillofacial and periodontal tissue regeneration,and elucidating the possible pathogenesis of dry sockets,xerostomia,and burning mouth syndrome.