BACKGROUND:Previous studies have shown that clear aligners can achieve molar distalization effectively,but it is not yet clear how the vertical dimensions change in patients with different vertical craniofacial patterns after molar distalization. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effect of molar distalization with clear aligners on occlusal vertical dimension in different vertical craniofacial patterns. METHODS:Forty patients(13 cases of Class Ⅰ malocclusion,20 cases of Class Ⅱ malocclusion,and 7 cases of Class Ⅲ malocclusion)were selected,including 13 cases in the high angle group,17 cases in the average angle group,and 10 cases in the low angle group.Among them,the age ranged from 10 to 53 years,with an average of 28.5 years.All patients were subjected to clear aligners for molar distalization.Lateral cephalometric films were taken before and after treatment.Cephalometric measurements,including the sagittal and vertical indicators of teeth and jaws,were measured by the same orthodontist,and each indicator was measured 3 times and averaged. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After orthodontic treatment,the crowded dentition was corrected,the overbite and overjet were back to normal and the lateral profile was improved significantly in all 40 patients.The GoGn-SN in the high angle group decreased by 0.4°,while the GoGn-SN in the average and low angle groups increased by less than 1°,the ANS-Me in the three groups increased by less than 1 mm.There was no statistically significant difference before and after treatment.There was a statistically significant decrease in the U6-PP in the low angle group by 0.47 mm(P<0.01).The L1-MP and the U1-SN in the average angle group significantly decreased by 0.83 mm(P<0.05)and by 6.46°(P<0.001),respectively.In conclusion,molar distalization with clear aligner treatment can control the vertical dimension effectively,prevent clockwise mandibular rotation,and maintain the lower face height.Patients with high angle can also undergo invisible orthodontics to distal molars.The realization rate of the anterior tooth intrusion movement by using clear aligners is insufficient,and the intrusion design should be increased to prevent the elongation phenomenon in anterior teeth.

Objective To explore the effects of image registration using various regions of interest(ROI)on the setup error for nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)patients who were immobilized individually.Methods Forty-three NPC patients who required radiotherapy were enrolled.The patients were immobilized with customized plastic foam and thermoplastic mask,and CBCT verification was performed once a week.In CBCT images,ROI was divided into the whole ROI(ROIPTV)and 7 local ROI containing different cervical structures(ROIsphenoid sinus,ROIatlantoaxial,ROIneck3,ROIneck4,ROIneck5,ROIneck6,and ROIneck7),which were then used for registrations with localized CT image.The setup errors in superior-inferior(SI),left-right(LR),anterior-posterior(AP),Pitch,Roll,and Yaw directions were recorded.Results In SI direction,the setup errors within 0.3 cm accounted for 89.74%for ROIneck7,and more than 90%for the other ROI.The proportion of setup errors within 0.3 cm gradually increased with the neck upward in LR direction,and they were 76.78%,81.70%,85.26%,and above 90%for ROIneck7,ROIneck6,ROIneck5,and the other ROI,respectively.In AP direction,the proportions of setup errors within 0.3 cm were less than 90%,except for ROIatlantoaxial and ROIneck3.The setup errors of ROIsphenoid sinus,ROIatlantoaxial,ROIneck3,and ROIneck4 were significantly positively correlated with ROIPTV in SI direction,and the correlation coefficients(R)were 0.94,0.95,0.90,and 0.83,respectively.In LR direction,there were positive correlations between the setup errors of ROIatlantoaxial and ROIsphenoid sinus(R=0.95),ROIneck3 and ROIsphenoid sinus(R=0.91),ROIPTV and ROIneck3(R=0.91).The setup errors of ROIPTV in AP direction were positively correlated with ROIatlantoaxial vertebrae and ROIneck3(R=0.88,0.90).The margins of all ROIs ranged from 0.38 cm to 1.01 cm.The extension of ROIneck6 and ROIneck7 in AP direction exceeded 0.9 cm,and the extension of ROIneck7 reached 0.95 cm in SI direction.Conclusion ROIPTV and ROIsphenoid sinus,ROIatlantoaxial,ROIneck3 are significantly correlated in SI,LR,and AP directions.The setup error of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients gradually increases with the neck down.The nasopharyngeal and cervical regions need to be expanded in segments when patients are immobilized individually.

Objective:To analyze the prognostic outcomes of 1 147 patients who underwent liver transplantation at Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital and to summarize measures to enhance the efficacy of liver transplantation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and follow-up data of 1 147 liver transplant patients at Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital.Results:The overall postoperative 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates for the 1 147 liver transplant patients were 87.20%, 73.40%, and 65.60%, respectively. The survival rates for benign disease liver transplant recipients were 88.01%, 84.98%, and 81.39% at 1, 3, and 5 years post-transplant, respectively, compared to recipients transplanted for malignancies of 78.11%, 64.41%, and 60.06% (all P<0.001). Among the mid vs more recent period, patients' 1-year and 3-year postoperative survival rates were 84.20%, 70.80% vs 90.50%, 71.70%, respectively,significantly in favor of recently enrolled patients ( P=0.022). In the complex surgery group, patients' 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 82.70%, 65.50%, 56.70%, while in less complicated group, it was 89.00%, 76.50%, 69.20% ( P<0.001). The primary causes of death for benign disease recipients were multi-organ failure (4.1%), while in recipients with malignant disease primary cause of death was tumor recurrence (23.7%). Postoperative complications included primary graft dysfunction, delayed graft function recovery, portal vein thrombosis, hepatic artery thrombosis, biliary stricture, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, and graft-versus-host disease, with occurrence rates of 1.05%, 6.89%, 1.92%, 0.44%, 2.00%, 0.61%, and 0.44%, respectively. Conclusions:With the continuous improvement in surgical techniques and perioperative care levels, the 3-year survival rate of recipients at our center has increased. Malignant diseases and complex liver transplantation remain crucial factors affecting recipient prognosis, highlighting the need to further enhance comprehensive treatment capabilities for patients with malignant diseases and complex surgeries.

Objective:To explore and analyze the predictive value of EuroSCORE Ⅱ and SYNTAX Ⅱ scores for clinical outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.Methods:A total of 500 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients who underwent CABG in Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital from April 2014 to July 2023 were selected as the study subjects, all patients were given EuroSCORE Ⅱand SYNTAX Ⅱ scores to evaluate the predictive value of EuroSCOREⅡfor perioperative mortality and SYNTAX Ⅱ for 4-year mortality. Univariate and multivariate Logistic analysis were employed to analyze the independent risk factors for perioperative and 4-year mortality.Results:There were 3 deaths during the perioperative period, with a mortality rate of 0.60%, the predicted mortality rate of EuroSCOREⅡwas 1.71%; there were 21 deaths at 4 years after surgery, with a mortality rate of 4.23% and the predicted mortality rate of SYNTAX Ⅱwas 9.02%. Logistic regression analysis showed that left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was the only independent protective factor for perioperative mortality, and advanced age was the only independent risk factor for 4-year postoperative mortality in patients ( P<0.05). The analysis of the working characteristic curve of the subjects found that the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ( ROC) of EuroSCORE Ⅱ for perioperative mortality was 0.782, and the area under ROC curve of SYNTAX Ⅱfor postoperative 4-year mortality was 0.743. Conclusion:Both EuroSCORE Ⅱand SYNTAX Ⅱhave certain predictive value for perioperative mortality and postoperative 4-year mortality in patients undergoing CABG, respectively, but the predicted mortality rate is relatively higher.

Objective UPLC-Q-TOF-MS integrated molecular network strategy was used to rapidly analyze and identify the chemical components of Yuye detoxification Particle. Methods The secondary mass spectrometry data of compounds were obtained using mass spectrometry scanning in both positive and negative ion mode. The similarity of MS/MS fragmentation patterns was calculated to create the global natural product social molecular networking (GNPS) platform. The major components in Yuye detoxification Particle were quickly identified according to the molecular clusters with similar structures in GNPS. Manual analysis and identification of other compounds were performed according to the mass fragment ion information of the primary and secondary mass spectrum data and related references by using the molecular feature extraction (MFE) function of Agilent Masshunter Qualitative Analysis workstation and traditional Chinese Medicine composition database (TCM-DATA). Results A total of 89 compounds in Yuye detoxification Particle were identified by LC-MS,including 22 phenoliacids,21 flavonoids and their glycosides,6 iridoid glycosides,28 triterpenoid saponins and 12 other types of ingredients. Conclusion UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS integrated molecular network technology can be used for rapid and systematic identification of chemical components of Yuye detoxification Particle,which provides theoretical basis for its quality control and clinical application. The established molecular network can provide reference for rapid qualitative analysis of components of traditional Chinese medicine compound.

Objectives: . The annual prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is increasing, and the lack of effective treatments imposes a substantial burden on both patients and society. The formation of nasal polyps in patients with CRS is closely related to tissue remodeling, which is largely driven by the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). MicroRNA (miRNA) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases through the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network; however, the specific mechanism of the miRNAs involved in the formation of nasal polyps remains unclear. Methods: . The expression of EMT markers and Smad3 were detected using western blots, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining. Differentially expressed genes in nasal polyps and normal tissues were screened through the Gene Expression Omnibus database. To predict the target genes of miR-145-5p, three different miRNA target prediction databases were used. The migratory ability of cells was evaluated using cell migration assay and wound healing assays. Results: . miR-145-5p was associated with the EMT process and was significantly downregulated in nasal polyp tissues. In vitro experiments revealed that the downregulation of miR-145-5p promoted EMT. Conversely, increasing miR-145-5p levels reversed the EMT induced by transforming growth factor-β1. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that miR-145-5p targets Smad3. Subsequent experiments confirmed that miR-145-5p inhibits Smad3 expression. Conclusion . Overall, miR-145-5p is a promising target to inhibit nasal polyp formation, and the findings of this study provide a theoretical basis for nanoparticle-mediated miR-145-5p delivery for the treatment of nasal polyps.

Background/Aims: Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is widely accepted as a radical surgery for refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). Definite results on the appropriate pouch length for an evaluation of the risk-to-benefit ratio regarding technical complications and long-term quality of life (QOL) are still scarce. Methods: Data on UC patients who underwent IPAA from 2008 to 2022 in four well-established pouch centers affiliated to China UC Pouch Center Union were collected. Results: A total of 208 patients with a median follow-up time of 6.0 years (interquartile range, 2.3 to 9.0 years) were enrolled. The median lengths of the patients’ short and long pouches were 14.0 cm (interquartile range, 14.0 to 15.0 cm) and 22.0 cm (interquartile range, 20.0 to 24.0 cm), respectively. Patients with a short J pouch configuration were less likely to achieve significantly improved long-term QOL (p=0.015) and were prone to develop late postoperative complications (p=0.042), such as increased defecation frequency (p=0.003) and pouchitis (p=0.035). A short ileal pouch was an independent risk factor for the development of late postoperative complications (odds ratio, 3.100; 95% confidence interval, 1.519 to 6.329; p=0.002) and impaired longterm QOL improvement (odds ratio, 2.221; 95% confidence interval, 1.218 to 4.050, p=0.009). Conclusions The length of the J pouch was associated with the improvement in long-term QOL and the development of late post-IPAA complications. A long J pouch configuration could be a considerable surgical option for pouch construction.

ObjectiveTo establish a modified BISAP scoring system， and to investigate the value of the BISAP scoring system versus the modified BISAP scoring system in assessing the severity and condition of acute pancreatitis （AP）. MethodsFor the establishment of the new scoring system， a retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 1 033 patients with AP who were admitted to Third Xiangya hospital of central South University from January 2019 to December 2021， and according to the revised Atlanta classification， they were divided into mild acute pancreatitis （MAP） group with 827 patients and severe acute pancreatitis （SAP） group with 206 patients. The two groups were compared in terms of clinical features， laboratory markers， and imaging data. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed for the statistically significant indicators to screen for the independent risk factors for SAP. The receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve was used to obtain the optimal cut－off value corresponding to the maximum Youden index for each independent risk factor， and a score of 0 or 1 was assigned depending on different situations， which was integrated into the BISAP scoring system to establish a modified BISAP scoring system. For the validation of the new scoring system， a retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 473 patients with AP who were admitted to Third Xiangya hospital of central South University from January 2017 to December 2018. BISAP score and modified BISAP score were determined for each patient， and the area under the ROC curve （AUC） was used to compare the value of the two scoring systems in predicting the severity and prognosis of AP. The chi－square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups， and the independent－samples t test and the Mann－Whitney U test were used for comparison of continuous data between two groups. ResultsFor the establishment of the new scoring system， there were significant differences between the MAP group and the SAP group in mode of admission， length of hospital stay， ICU admission rate， number of deaths， underlying diseases， and incidence rate of complications （all P<0.05）. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that body temperature， neutrophil－to－lymphocyte ratio （NLR）， C－reactive protein （CRP）， albumin， triglycerides， D－dimer， fibrinogen， and MCTSI score were independent risk factors for SAP （all P<0.05）. The ROC curve analysis showed that CRP （AUC=0.921）， NLR （AUC=0.798）， D－dimer （AUC=0.768）， and MCTSI score （AUC=0.931） had a good predictive value for SAP， and the combination of these four indicators had an AUC of 0.976 and showed a significantly higher diagnostic efficiency than each indicator alone or the combination of two or three indicators （all P<0.05）. For the validation of the new scoring system， a total of 473 patients were enrolled， with 408 in the MAP group and 65 in the SAP group， and there were significant differences between the two groups in mode of admission， length of hospital stay， ICU admission rate， number of deaths， and incidence rate of complications （all P<0.05）. The modified BISAP score was better than the BISAP score in predicting SAP （AUC： 0.972 vs 0.887， P<0.05）， with an optimal cut－off value of >3 points. The modified BISAP score also had a relatively high value in predicting the mortality of AP patients （AUC=0.910）， but there was no significant difference between the modified BISAP score and the BISAP scoring system （AUC： 0.910 vs 0.896， P=0.707）. ConclusionThe modified BISAP score is better than the BISAP score in predicting the severity of AP and has a relatively high value in predicting the mortality of AP patients， giving a more accurate， objective， and early assessment of the condition of AP patients.

Objective To propose a two-way fluid-structure interaction (FSI) method based on real patients with carotid artery stenosis, and analyze the hemodynamic parameters of carotid plaques with different types at the lesion as well as deformation and stress changes of the plaque itself. Methods Three-dimensional ( 3D) modeling was performed based on computed tomography angiography ( CTA) data of patients with moderate carotid artery stenosis. The carotid artery wall model and plaque model were separated, and transient fluid structure coupling calculation was performed. The situation from early stage of carotid atherosclerosis to formation of the plaque was simulated. The plaque types were divided into thickened plaques, lipid plaques, mixed plaques and calcified plaques, among which thickened plaques were regarded as non-plaque conditions for representing the thickening of vascular intima-media. The stenotic carotid arteries with different plaque types were compared and analyzed. Results The plaques with different types had little effect on the overall blood flow, but the wall shear stress of lipid plaques at the lesion was lower than that of other plaques. With thickened plaques as a control, concurrence of the plaque would inhibit artery expansion, and lipid plaques were the most obvious. Calcified plaques had the highest average plaque structure stress, while lipid plaques had the lowest average plaque structure stress. Conclusions The method proposed in this study can analyze fluid area and solid area at the same time. The results can contribute to better understanding the influence of different plaque types on carotid artery diseases.

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury is common in sports medicine. Arthroscopic reconstruction of PCL has become a routine procedure to stabilize the knee joint after PCL injury. The location of tibial tunnel during operation is crucial to a successful surgery. This article reviews the current studies on transtibial PCL reconstruction from the aspects of the anatomy related to the tibial tunnel, the anteromedial and anterolateral tibial tunnels, the maximum angle and optimal angle of tibial tunnel, and the anatomical and non-anatomical tibial tunnels, hoping to provide helpful references for the treatment of PCL injury.