Alzheimer's disease (AD), a prototypical neurodegenerative disorder, encompasses multifaceted pathological processes. As pivotal cellular structures within the central nervous system, ion channels play critical roles in regulating neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, and neurotransmitter release. Extensive research has revealed significant alterations in the expression and function of ion channels in AD, implicating an important role of ion channels in the pathogenesis of abnormal Aβ deposition, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and disruptions in calcium homeostasis and neural network functionality. This review systematically summarizes the crucial roles and underlying mechanisms of ion channels in the onset and progression of AD, highlighting how these channel abnormalities contribute to AD pathophysiology. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of ion channel modulation in AD treatment, emphasizing the importance of addressing multifactorial nature and heterogeneity of AD. The development of multi-target drugs and precision therapies is proposed as a future direction of scientific research.
Alzheimer Disease/therapy* ; Humans ; Ion Channels/physiology* ; Oxidative Stress ; Animals ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism* ; Synaptic Transmission ; Calcium/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: Automatic planning is a commonly used alternative to manual planning. This study evaluated the clinical performance of automatic plans available in commercial treatment planning systems for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treatment by comparing automatic planning with manual planning. METHODS: A total of 14 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were enrolled in the study. For each patient, three different sets of clinical goals were used to generate three hybrid automatic plans based on 3D dose distribution prediction and three automatic plans based on script, respectively, which were compared with the manual plans used in clinic. RESULTS: The dose coverage performance of the automatic planning based on 3D dose distribution prediction on the planning target volume (PTV) was comparable to that of the manual planning. Automatic planning based on 3D dose prediction achieved the level of manual planning in most organs at risk. However, automatic planning based on scripts did not perform well in the prediction of some organs at risk, especially the parotid gland. CONCLUSION The hybrid automatic plan based on 3D dose distribution prediction can reach the level of manual planning and have good robustness with the change of clinical objective.
Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/radiotherapy* ; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted/methods* ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Carcinoma ; Radiotherapy Dosage

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze the correlations and proportional relationships between maxillary anterior teeth (MAT) and facial measurements in Han Chinese individuals with the most attractive smiles, as evaluated by dental professionals. METHODS: Ten dentists with more than 5 years of clinical experience from different professional directions in a tertiary stomatological hospital were selected to evaluate the smile attractiveness of volunteers by visual analogue scale (VAS). Eighty-eight Han volunteers with the most attractive smile were selected. The perceived width of the MAT, the dimensions (height and width) of the maxillary central incisors (MCI), and the facial dimensions (intercanthal distance, interzygomatic distance, interalar distance, facial height and lower facial height) of the volunteers were measured on the frontal photos of the smile, digital oral model, and 3D face model. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to analyze linear correlations, and regression analysis was carried out to explore the proportional relationships. Reliability analysis using the intraclass correlation coefficient verified the stability of these proportional relationships. In addition, the correlations between MAT perceived width and the proportional relationships of (MCI) height to width ratio, with facial dimensions were explored and their reliability was verified. RESULTS: In Han Chinese individuals with the most attractive smiles, as evaluated by dental professionals, the Pearson correlation coefficients among MAT perceived widths were 0.813, 0.389, and 0.560. A proportional relationship existed between the lateral incisor and central incisor, and the ratio was 0.729. No significant correlations were found between MCI and the inner canthal distance, zygomatic distance, interalar distance, facial height, or the lower one-third facial height except for a negative correlation (r=-0.357) between MCI height and facial height in males and a positive correlation (r=0.249) between MCI width and interalar width when genders were combined. CONCLUSIONS Correlations exist among MAT perceived widths in Han Chinese individuals with the most attractive smiles, as evaluated by dental professionals. Partial correlations are observed between MCI height and width and facial measurements. The perceived width of the lateral incisor can serve as a reference indicator for predicting the perceived width of the central incisor, providing a reference for the aesthetic restoration of MAT in the Han ethnicity population.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; China ; Esthetics, Dental ; Face/anatomy & histology* ; Incisor/anatomy & histology* ; Maxilla/anatomy & histology* ; Smiling ; East Asian People

AIM: To investigate the clinical value of serum vitamin A(Vit A)and basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)levels predicting retinopathy of prematurity(ROP).METHODS: Prospective cohort studies. A total of 411 premature or low birth weight infants with gestational age less than 37 wk or birth weight less than 2 500 g who were delivered in Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected as subjects. The Vit A and bFGF levels in peripheral blood were detected at 7 d and 35 d after birth, respectively.RESULTS: A total of 392 premature infants or low birth weight infants completed clinical study, including 51 cases in stage 1-2 ROP group, 23 cases in stage 3-5 ROP group and 318 cases in the group without ROP. At 7 d postnatal, the serum Vit A(0.44±0.17 μmol/L)and bFGF(0.53±0.16 ng/L)levels in stage 1-2 ROP group were lower than those in the group without ROP(0.50±0.12 μmol/L and 0.63±0.15 ng/L; all P<0.05). The serum Vit A(0.34±0.18 μmol/L)and bFGF(0.44±0.18 ng/L)levels in stage 3-5 ROP group were lower than those in the group without ROP(P<0.05). The serum Vit A and bFGF levels in stage 3-5 ROP group were lower than those in stage 1-2 ROP group(P<0.05). At 35d postnatal, the serum Vit A(0.33±0.19 μmol/L)and bFGF(0.39±0.19 ng/L)levels in stage 3-5 ROP group were lower than those in stage 1-2 ROP group(0.43±0.16 μmol/L and 0.48±0.17 ng/L; all P<0.05). According to the ROC curve drawn by serum Vit A, the AUC value was 0.853, the maximum Youden index was 0.68, the best sensitivity was 73%, and the best specificity was 95%. According to the ROC curve drawn by serum bFGF, the AUC value was 0.828, the maximum Youden index was 0.58, the best sensitivity was 90%, and the best specificity was 68%. According to the ROC curve drawn by serum Vit A combined with bFGF, the AUC value was 0.917, the maximum Youden index was 0.70, the best sensitivity was 70%, and the best specificity was 100%.CONCLUSION: Serum Vit A and bFGF levels are sensitive and effective indicators for predicting ROP. If the serum Vit A or bFGF levels are lower in premature infants or low birth weight infants, it may indicate the higher probability of ROP and its pathological stages. In addition, the clinica value of serum Vit A combined with bFGF in the diagnosis of ROP is higher than that of Vit A or bFGF alone, and the misdiagnosis rate is reduced.

In recent years， the incidence of pulmonary nodules has kept rising. To give full play to the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in the treatment of pulmonary nodules and identify the breakthrough points of integrating TCM with Western medicine， the China Association of Chinese Medicine organized medical experts in TCM and western medicine to carry out in-depth discussion regarding this disease. The discussion encompassed the modern medical advances， TCM theories of etiology and pathogenesis， the role and advantages of TCM in the whole course management of pulmonary nodules， contents and methods of research on pulmonary nodules， and science popularization work， aiming to provide a reference for clinical practice and scientific research. After discussion， the experts concluded that the occurrence of pulmonary nodules was rooted in the deficiency of the lung and spleen and triggered by phlegm dampness， blood stasis， and Qi stagnation. TCM can treat pulmonary nodules by controlling and reducing nodules， improving physical constitution， ameliorating multi-system nodular diseases， reducing anxiety and avoiding excessive diagnosis and treatment， and serving as an alternative for patients who are unwilling or unfit for surgical treatment. At present， the optimal diagnosis and treatment strategy for pulmonary nodules has not been formed， which needs to be further studied from multiple perspectives such as clinical epidemiology， biology， and evidence-based medicine. The primary task of current research is to find out the advantages， effective prescriptions， and target populations and determine the effective outcomes of TCM in the treatment of pulmonary nodules. At the same time， basic research should be carried out to explore the etiology and biological behaviors of pulmonary nodules. The expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary nodules with integrated TCM and Western medicine needs to be continuously revised to guide clinicians to conduct standardized， scientific， and accurate effective diagnosis and treatment.

Nanozymes, a groundbreaking discovery by Chinese scientists, represent a novel and remarkable property of nanomaterials. They not only exhibit catalytic activity comparable to natural enzymes, but also boast exceptional stability, tunable reactivity, and the ability to catalyze reactions under mild conditions. The identification of nanozymes has unveiled the biocatalytic potential of inorganic nanomaterials. In parallel, inorganic minerals have long been regarded as pivotal catalysts in the origin of life, driving the synthesis of early biomolecules. These minerals not only facilitate redox reactions that convert simple inorganic compounds into organic molecules but also enable chiral selection, the synthesis of biomacromolecules, and radioprotective functions via their surface structures. Recent advances suggest that inorganic nanomaterials can delicately catalyze the formation of biomolecules, aid in macromolecular assembly, and provide radiation shielding. Furthermore, nanominerals are found in abundance across Earth and extraterrestrial environments. This paper seeks to explore the potential of nanozymes as catalytic agents in the processes that gave rise to life, integrating the catalytic roles of inorganic minerals with the unique attributes of nanozymes, which will provide a new perspective for research of origin of life.

BACKGROUND:Three-dimensional(3D)printing is an emerging technology in the field of dentistry.It utilizes a layer-by-layer manufacturing technique to create scaffolds suitable for periodontal tissue engineering applications.Tissue scaffolds produced through 3D printing can possess controlled characteristics,including internal structure,porosity,and interconnectivity,making it an ideal strategy for periodontal tissue engineering. OBJECTIVE:To review the applications of 3D printed scaffolds in periodontal regeneration. METHODS:English search terms were"3D printing,periodontal tissue engineering,additive manufacturing,regenerative medicine,bioengineering,scaffold,bioprinting,periodontitis".Chinese search terms were"3D printing,additive manufacturing,periodontal tissue engineering,scaffolds,bio-inks,bioprinting,tissue engineering".Relevant literature published from 2000 to 2023 in PubMed and CNKI databases was retrieved and included in the review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Over the past few decades,3D printing technology has made significant progress and breakthroughs in tissue engineering and biomedical fields.3D printing technology can provide highly personalized treatment programs,improve the suitability and therapeutic effect of therapeutic stents,and has broad application prospects in periodontal tissue engineering.In periodontal tissue engineering,3D printing applications can better mimic the complex structures of biological tissues and manufacture biocompatible scaffold materials with suitable mechanical and rheological properties.The layer-by-layer construction of tissue engineering scaffolds through 3D printing not only enables the creation of precise and intricate scaffold models for personalized treatment of periodontal disease but also facilitates the incorporation of complex microstructures and channels within the scaffolds to promote cell growth and tissue regeneration.

Objective:To evaluate the differences and aesthetic meaning of stable vitiligo treatment in the face and neck region using suction blister transplantation or noncultured autologous suspension of epidermal cells.Methods:Sixty-four stable vitiligo patients (25 males and 39 females with age ranges from 10 to 46 years, average 25 years) in the face and neck region were randomly divided into two groups (32 patients in each group): one group received suction blister transplantation, while other group received noncultured autologous suspension of epidermal cells. Patients′treatment effectiveness, pigmentation and piecing deformity were evaluated in postoperative 3 months and 6 months.Results:In the postoperative 3 months and 6 months, the effectiveness of suction blister transplantation group was 68.75% (22/32) and 90.63% (29/32), respectively, while the effectiveness of noncultured autologous suspension of epidermal cells group was 59.37% (19/32) and 87.50% (28/32), respectively, in which no significant differences were found between two groups ( P>0.05). No obvious pigmentation and piecing deformity were found in noncultured autologous suspension of epidermal cells group, which were much better than the suction blister transplantation group in postoperative 3 months and 6 months. Conclusions:Both suction blister transplantation and noncultured autologous suspension of epidermal cells could bring good treatment effectiveness for patients of stable vitiligo in the face and neck region. Compared with suction blister transplantation, noncultured autologous suspension of epidermal cells could offer better aesthetic appearance.

With the improvement of China's socioeconomic status,the issue of aging has become increasingly prominent,making cerebral infarction a common disease among the elderly.In recent years,research on cerebral infarction has gradually deepened,shifting focus from merely protecting and repairing neurons to emphasizing the complex interplay between inflammatory response and autophagy in the brain vascular unit,covering various aspects such as the blood-brain barrier,astrocytes,microglia,and autophagy.This shift in research direction has provided us with a profound understanding of the mechanisms underlying cerebral infarction,offering strong support for innovative future treatment strategies.In this review,we delved into the importance of the interplay between inflammatory response and autophagy in the pathogenesis of cerebral infarction,emphasized the intricate interactions among these biological components,which might lay the groundwork for more effective managements and treatments of cerebral infarction.By comprehensively reviewing existing literatures,we proposed future research directions,aiming to provide more scientific and systematic guidance for the clinical management and treatment of cerebral infarction.

Purpose::Under-foot impact loadings can cause serious lower limb injuries in many activities, such as automobile collisions and underbody explosions to military vehicles. The present study aims to compare the biomechanical responses of the mainstream vehicle occupant dummies with the human body lower limb model and analyze their robustness and applicability for assessing lower limb injury risk in underfoot impact loading environments.Methods::The Hybrid III model, the test device for human occupant restraint (THOR) model, and a hybrid human body model with the human active lower limb model were adopted for under-foot impact analysis regarding different impact velocities and initial lower limb postures.Results::The results show that the 2 dummy models have larger peak tibial axial force and higher sensitivity to the impact velocities and initial postures than the human lower limb model. In particular, the Hybrid III dummy model presented extremely larger peak tibial axial forces than the human lower limb model. In the case of minimal difference in tibial axial force, Hybrid III's tibial axial force (7.5 KN) is still 312.5% that of human active lower limb's (2.4 KN). Even with closer peak tibial axial force values, the biomechanical response curve shapes of the THOR model show significant differences from the human lower limb model.Conclusion::Based on the present results, the Hybrid III dummy cannot be used to evaluate the lower limb injury risk in under-foot loading environments. In contrast, potential improvement in ankle biofidelity and related soft tissues of the THOR dummy can be implemented in the future for better applicability.