Tumor cell-intrinsic programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) signals mediate tumor initiation, progression and metastasis, but their effects in ameloblastoma (AM) have not been reported. In this comprehensive study, we observed marked upregulation of PD-L1 in AM tissues and revealed the robust correlation between elevated PD-L1 expression and increased tumor growth and recurrence rates. Notably, we found that PD-L1 overexpression markedly increased self-renewal capacity and promoted tumorigenic processes and invasion in hTERT⁺-AM cells, whereas genetic ablation of PD-L1 exerted opposing inhibitory effects. By performing high-resolution single-cell profiling and thorough immunohistochemical analyses in AM patients, we delineated the intricate cellular landscape and elucidated the mechanisms underlying the aggressive phenotype and unfavorable prognosis of these tumors. Our findings revealed that hTERT⁺-AM cells with upregulated PD-L1 expression exhibit increased proliferative potential and stem-like attributes and undergo partial epithelial‒mesenchymal transition. This phenotypic shift is induced by the activation of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling axis; thus, this study revealed a crucial regulatory mechanism that fuels tumor growth and recurrence. Importantly, targeted inhibition of the PD-L1-PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling axis significantly suppressed the growth of AM patient-derived tumor organoids, highlighting the potential of PD-L1 blockade as a promising therapeutic approach for AM.
Ameloblastoma/metabolism* ; Humans ; B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism* ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology* ; Signal Transduction ; Cell Proliferation ; Up-Regulation ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Telomerase/metabolism* ; Jaw Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Male

Objective:To analyze regional differences in MMACHC gene variations among patients with cblC-type methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) in China and to explore the relationship between these variations and neonatal screening, biochemical markers and prognosis.Methods:Retrospective case summary. Clinical and laboratory data, including general condition, biochemical markers and genetic analysis, were collected from 1 859 cblC MMA patients from 2005 to 2023. Patients were divided into 7 groups according to their regions: north China, northeast China, east China, central China, south China, southwest China and northwest China. They were also classified into neonatal screening and non-neonatal screening groups. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare biochemical marker levels. In contrast, the Chi-square test was applied to compare MMACHC gene variant frequencies, neonatal screening proportion, onset age and prognosis between groups. Results:Among 1 859 cases of cblC MMA, 1 019 were male and 840 were female, with a consultation age of 1.0 (0.1, 5.0) month. A total of 1 787 cases carried compound heterozygous or homozygous variants and only 1 variant site was identified in 72 cases. The 10 most frequent variants were c.609G>A (1 238 cases), c.658_660delAAG (343 cases), c.80A>G (284 cases), c.482G>A (239 cases), c.567dupT (191 cases), c.656_658delAGA (131 cases), c.217C>T (109 cases), c.394C>T (105 cases), c.445_446delTG (51 cases) and c.1A>G (50 cases). The frequency of the c.609G>A was the lowest in northwest China (28.8% (44/154), χ2=-18.42, P<0.05). The frequency of the c.567dupT was the most common in southwest China (25.0% (20/80), χ2=71.70, P<0.001) and c.656_658delAGA had the highest frequency in northeast China (9.3% (19/205), χ2=32.08, P<0.001). Non-missense variants (91.2% (62/68), 88.5% (46/52)) and early-onset patients (90.0% (36/40), 94.4% (34/36)) were both more prevalent in southwest and south China ( χ2=14.95, 31.69, both P<0.05). The proportion of neonatal screening was the lowest in south China (22.2% (8/36), χ2=98.48, P<0.05), where the mortality rate was the highest (19.1% (4/21), χ2=38.98, P<0.001). East China exhibited the highest frequency of missense variants (21.5% (339/1 579)), the highest proportion of patients identified through neonatal screening (54.5% (465/853)), and a more significant proportion of patients with good prognosis (36.6% (227/621), χ2=14.57, 93.49, 38.98, all P<0.05). In addition, the c.482G>A variant was more frequent in patients diagnosed by neonatal screening compared to those diagnosed by other methods (8.3% (132/1 586) vs. 5.9% (122/2 060), χ2=7.97, P<0.05). Conclusions:The frequency of MMACHC gene variation varies across different regions. The c.609G>A was least frequent in northwest China, c.567dupT was most common in southwest China, and c.656_658delAGA was most prevalent in northeast China. South China had the lowest neonatal screening rate and the highest mortality. At the same time, east China exhibited the highest frequency of missense variants, the highest proportion of patients identified through neonatal screening and the best prognosis. The c.482G>A variant was more frequent in patients diagnosed by neonatal screening compared to those diagnosed by other methods.

Objective : To explore the influence of a contracted endodontic access cavity on the risk of canal transportation in the danger zone of the mesial root canal of mandibular first molars (MFMs) using a one-curve preparation system, and to provide an experimental basis for the clinical selection of a better pulp approach. Methods: Twenty MFMs extracted for severe periodontal disease that met the inclusion criteria, including intact coronal roots, mesial roots with two separate root canals, mesiobuccal canal (MB) and mesiolingual canal (ML), and a curvature of 0° to 20°, were selected. Subsequently, these MFMs were randomly divided into two groups based on the endodontic access design, including the traditional endodontic access cavity (TEC) group and the contracted endodontic access cavity (CEC) group. In the TEC group, the pulp chamber roof of the tooth was completely removed, while in the CEC group, the pulp chamber roof and peri-cervical dentin were preserved as much as possible. Then, the One Curve single file was adopted to conduct root canal preparation. Next, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed on extracted teeth before and after preparation, and the measurement sections were located at 0-7.0 mm below the root bifurcation of the mesial root canal at 1 mm intervals. The minimum wall thickness on the mesial and distal aspect of the root canal was measured in each section. Results : ① Prepreparation CT measurements of 20 MFMs showed that the danger zone in the range 0-4 mm under root bifurcation, a mean thickness of 1.18 mm on the mesial aspect of the MB root canal and 1.08 mm on the distal aspect. The mean thickness of the ML root canal was 1.28 mm on the mesial aspect and 1.07 mm on the distal aspect. ② Compared with that of the traditional endodontic access cavity, no significant difference in the decrease of wall thickness was observed in the danger zone of mesial root canal of MFMs in the contracted endodontic access cavity (t = 1.319，P = 0.19). ③ In the mesiobuccal canal, compared with the apical transportation of the traditional endodontic access cavity, which tends to be more mesial side, the apical transportation of contracted endodontic access cavity tends to the distal side. In the mesiolingual canal, both apical transportation groups tended to be on the distal side. Conclusion When using the One Curve file, compared with traditional endodontic access, the contracted endodontic access cavity based on the minimally invasive concept does not increase the risk that the mesial root canal of mandibular first molars is transported.

Objective:To understand the cognition and training status of basic life support among medical staff in Linfen, Shanxi Province, and to provide reference for the development of targeted training strategies and programs.Methods:A questionnaire survey was conducted among medical staff in 12 county hospitals in Linfen, Shanxi Province by convenience sampling method. The survey included the general characteristics of departments and medical staff, previous basic life support training assessment and cognitive status.Results:A total of 839 medical staff were included, 756 (90.1%) completed the survey, 183 (24.2%) were doctors and 573 (75.8%) were nurses. Most personnel lacked awareness of environmental safety, emergency response system start-up, adequate compression, airway management, and electrical defibrillation.Conclusions:The cognitive status of basic life support of medical staff in Linfen county is not optimistic. It is necessary to construct an applicable precision training course and retraining assessment system to improve the cognitive level and practical operation ability.

Objective:To investigate the safety and dose of 4D template (real-time adjustable angle template) in the treatment of advanced malignant tumors with 125I seeds. Methods:98 patients with advanced malignant tumors admitted to Department of Thoracic Surgery of Shaanxi Provincial Tumor Hospital were treated with 4D template-navigated radioactive 125I seed implantation from June 2018 to December 2019. Preoperative TPS plan, intraoperative optimization, postoperative verification of immediate dose and postoperative evaluation of implantation dose were performed. The treatment results were observed. Results:All 98 patients completed the seed implantation. The implantation dose of GTV of implantation site receiving external irradiation was (12 489±414) cGy and the dose of no external irradiation was (15 036±514) cGy. V 100% was 84.7%-94.1%, and 88.2%-93.7%. The implantation dose of CTV was (7 450±621) cGy, and (9 080±761) cGy. The quality of dose implantation was evaluated as: excellent in 89 cases (91%, 89/98), good in 7 cases (7%, 7/98), fair in 2 cases (2%, 2/98), and poor in 0 case, respectively. The symptom relief rate of patients with pain was 92%(36/39). The 1-and 2-year local control rates were 61%, 36% and 82%, 54% in patients treated with and without external irradiation, respectively. The difference was statistically significant ( P=0.02). The incidence rates of pneumothorax and hemoptysis were 19%(9/48) and 10%(5/48). No corresponding complications were observed in other parts of the patients. Conclusion:4D template-assisted 125I seed therapy is safe and effective for malignant tumors, and intraoperative adjustment of needle angle and dose optimization can realize the precise control of implantation dose.

Objective : To investigate the effect of hypoxic preconditioning (HPC) on mitochondrial energy metabolism in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells and its possible mechanism. Methods : In this paper, mouse hippocampal nerve cells HT22 were divided into control group, hypoxia group, HPC group, and the levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in each group were measured for observing the effect of HPC on cell mitochondrial metabolism. Western blot was used to detect the expression of target of rapamycin ( mTOR), phosphorylated mTOR protein and autophagy substrate P62 protein; cellular immunofluorescence was used to detect phosphorylated mTOR, and LysoTrackerTM probe was used to detect lysosomes. Results : Compared with the control group, the ATP level was significantly decreased and the ROS level was increased in the hypoxia group. Exposed to HPC, the ATP level was increased and the ROS level was decreased. Compared with the control group, the expression of phosphorylated mTOR was down⁃regulated and the expression of autophagy substrate P62 was down⁃regulated in the HPC group. Conclusion HPC may affect the energy metabolism of HT22 cells through the mTOR/autophagy signaling pathway, thereby exerting a protective effect on the HT22 cells.

Objective To study the changes of endotoxin in blood,Escherichia coli,lactobacillus,bifidobacterium,enterococci in feces of HCC patients.Methods Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the difference between HCC group and normal group in the expression in bifidobacterium,lactobacillus,enterococcus and Escherichia coli,and the difference of endotoxin level.Results The expression levels of Escherichia coli and enterococcus in HCC group were significantly higher than those in normal control group (P＜ 0.05).Bifidobacterium and lactobacillus in primary liver cancer group significantly decreased compared with the normal group (P ＜ 0.05).The serum endotoxin level in HCC group was significantly higher than that in normal control group (P ＜ 0.05).Bifidobacterium and lactobacillus increased in HCC group.Enterococcus and escherichia coli decreased in HCC group.There was a significant positive correlation between endotoxin content and tumor number and tumor diameter in HCC patients.Conclusion Bifidobacterium,lactobacillus decreased,enterococcus and Escherichia coli increased in HCC patients.These changes along with the increase of endotoxin may relate to the development of HCC.

Objective: To detect pathogenic gene variants in two Chinese families with cone-rod dystrophy(CORD). Methods: After the informed consent and comprehensive ophthalmic examinations for the patients, 3 mL peripheral blood was taken from the patients’ blood vessel and DNA was extracted. The DNA was sequenced by whole-exome sequencing technology and variants were analyzed. Results: Two novel compound heterozygous AIPL1 variants were detected in two patients, which were c. 923T>C(p.L308P) and c. 421C>T(p.Q141X) variants in Family 1, c. 572T>C(p.L191P) and c. 421C>T(p.Q141X) in Family 2 . Conclusion The results supported that AIPL1 gene variants are the main cause of the two CORD families. Whole-exome sequencing technology is a useful tool in the clinical differentiated diagnosis and genetic counseling for CORD patients.

Objective To identify mutations in NDP,FZD4,LRPS,TSPAN12 in Chinese families with familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR) and observe the clinical features.Methods Retrospective case series study.The 9 patients (18 eyes) and 5 normal members from 4 unrelated families were included in the study.The patients medical history and family history were collected in detail.All patients underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA),slit-lamp biomicroscopy,fundus colorized photography,fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA).Genomic DNA were collected from all the patients.Mutations were detected by directly sequencing to the whole coding region and exon-intron boundaries ofNDP,FZD4,LRP5 and TSPAN12 gene.Polyphen and SWT programs were used to predict the effects on the structure and functional properties of mutant protein.Results There were two affected individuals in the family 2 carried LRP5 gene mutation [c.1330C＞T (p.R444C)] in exon 6 by sequence analysis.A score of 0.882 was acquired by Polyphen program analysis.And the missense change was predicted to be pathogenic by SIFT.Fundus changes of the proband showed angioplasia,tortuosity of peripheral vessels.And temporal dragging of the optic disc,peripheral avascular zone,neovascularization were found in FFA.Brush-like and straight of peripheral vessels were found in I 1.No variant was found in NDP,FZD4 and TSPAN12 gene.Conclusion Our study supports the gene mutation c.1330C＞T (p.R444C) of LRP5 is pathogenesis of FEVR.Patients with the same mutation could have variable phenotypic characteristics.

Objective: To explore the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck Castleman′s disease (CD), and to improve the understanding of the disease. Methods: The clinical data of 41 patients with head and neck CD treated from January 2007 to July 2017 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: localized CD (LCD, n=27) and multicentric CD (MCD, n=14). The clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, operations, pathological findings and follow-up data were analyzed. Results: LCD was characterized by asymptomatic enlargement of the single lymph node with mild clinical symptoms. The main pathological type was hyaline vascular type, which can be cured by surgical treatment. MCD accompanied by fever 9 cases(64.3%), anemia 8 cases (57.1%), splenomegaly 7 cases (50.0%), respiratory symptoms 6 cases (42.9%), with multiple enlarged superficial and deep lymph nodes with pain, pleural effusion, and edema of lower extremity, C-reaction protein increased in 8 cases (57.1%), hypoproteinemia 8 cases(57.1%), globulin increased 7 cases (50.0%) and neutropenia 6 cases(42.9%). The main pathological type was plasma cell type in 7 cases (50.0%), and also there were 4 cases of hyaline vascular type and 2 cases of mixed type. Chemotherapy with or without rituximab was the main treatment. Most patients received complete or partial remission except for 2 patients who died of lung infection due to chemotherapy. Conclusions The diagnosis of head and neck CD depends on pathological examination. LCD shows mild symptoms and good prognosis after surgery. However, clinical manifestations of MCD are complex, with relatively poor prognosis after comprehensive treatment.