Periodontitis leads to progressive destruction of periodontal supporting tissues, and conventional anti-infective therapies often fail to simultaneously achieve infection control and tissue regeneration. Due to the increasing threat of antibiotic resistance, the development of novel bioactive molecules with both anti-infective and pro-regenerative properties has become a focus of research. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), characterized by multi-target antimicrobial mechanisms and immunomodulatory functions, have attracted considerable attention in periodontal tissue regeneration. Current evidence indicates that AMPs not only inhibit periodontal pathogens and biofilm formation, but they also regulate macrophage polarization, suppress inflammatory cytokine release, and activate signaling pathways, such as Wnt/β-catenin and MAPK/ERK. These effects promote osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, while enhancing angiogenesis through VEGF induction, thereby establishing a favorable immune microenvironment for periodontal regeneration. Despite these promising findings, the in vivo stability, dosage safety, and long-term mechanisms of AMPs remain to be fully elucidated. Future studies should focus on clarifying the molecular mechanisms by which AMPs regulate the periodontal immune microenvironment and angiogenesis-osteogenesis coupled regeneration. In addition, integrating structural optimization, advanced delivery systems, and artificial intelligence-assisted peptide discovery may accelerate the development and clinical translation of novel antimicrobial peptides.

Objective: To investigate the role of butyric acid-producing bacteria in long bone homeostasis in mice with periodontitis under a high-fat/high-sugar diet and to provide new insights for the prevention and treatment of periodontitis and related bone metabolic diseases. Methods: This study has been approved by the Animal Welfare and Ethics Committee of the Experimental Animal Center. Initially, 14 mice were randomly divided into the CON group (the control group) and the LIG group (the periodontitis group). Mice in the LIG group had experimental periodontitis induced by ligating the second maxillary molars bilaterally and were fed a high-fat and high-sugar diet. After 8 weeks, samples were collected. Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) was used to analyze alveolar bone resorption and various parameters of the proximal tibia trabecular bone, including bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume per tissue volume (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp). After decalcification, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed on maxillary bone sections to assess periodontal tissue inflammation and connective tissue destruction. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect related genes in the distal femur and proximal tibia bone tissues, including osteocalcin (OCN), osteogenic transcription factor (Osterix), osteoprotegerin (OPG), tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANK), and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANK-L). Subsequently, the other 28 mice were randomly divided into the CON group (the control group), LIG group (the periodontitis group), CON + butyric acid-producing bacteria (BP) group, and LIG + BP group. The breeding, sampling, and sample detection methods remained the same. Finally, the other 28 mice were randomly divided into the CON group (the control group), LIG group (the periodontitis group), CON + sodium butyrate (SB) group, and LIG + SB group. The breeding, sampling, and sample detection methods remained the same. Results: ①Periodontitis modeling was successful. Compared with the CON group, the LIG group exhibited significant alveolar bone resorption of the maxillary second molar, aggravated periodontal tissue inflammation, and connective tissue destruction. ②Periodontitis exacerbated long bone resorption in mice fed a high-fat high-sugar diet. Compared with the CON group, the LIG group had significantly lower BMD, BV/TV, Tb.N, and Tb.Th (P<0.05), and significantly higher Tb.Sp (P<0.05). HE staining of the proximal tibia showed that the trabeculae in the LIG group were sparse and disordered, with some areas showing fractures or dissolution. The expression of osteoblast markers (OCN, Osterix, OPG) was significantly lower in the LIG group (P<0.05), while the expression of the osteoclast marker TRAP showed an increasing trend (P>0.05). The ratio of RANK-L/OPG was significantly higher in the LIG group compared with the CON group (P<0.05). ③ Supplementation with butyric acid-producing bacteria alleviates periodontitis-induced disruption of long bone homeostasis in mice fed a high-fat/high-sugar diet. Compared with the LIG group, BMD and Tb.Th were significantly higher in the LIG + BP group. HE staining of the proximal tibia showed that bone resorption was mitigated in the LIG + BP group compared with the LIG group. The expression of OCN and Osterix was significantly higher in the LIG + BP group, while the expression of osteoclast-specific genes (OSCAR, RANK, RANK-L) was significantly lower (P<0.05). ④ Supplementation with butyrate alleviates periodontitis-induced disruption of long bone homeostasis in mice fed a high-fat/high-sugar diet. Compared with the LIG group, BV/TV and Tb.N were significantly higher in the LIG + SB group, and Tb.Sp was significantly lower (P<0.05). HE staining of the proximal tibia showed that bone resorption was mitigated in the LIG + SB group compared with the LIG group. The expression of Osterix, OPG, OSCAR, TRAP, and RANK was significantly lower in the LIG + SB group compared with the LIG group (P<0.05). Conclusion Periodontitis disrupts the long bone homeostasis of mice fed a high-fat high-sugar diet, aggravating long bone resorption. Supplementation with butyric acid-producing bacteria or butyrate can effectively alleviate the disruption of long bone homeostasis caused by periodontitis.

Objective To evaluate the current radiation doses in pediatric non-cardiac interventional procedures, and analyze the associated clinical factors, and to provide data references for reducing pediatric radiation exposure. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of the radiation doses of children who had undergone non-cardiac interventional procedures at the interventional department of a tertiary pediatric hospital in Jinan from January 2022 to October 2024. The collected data included basic demographic information, surgical date, anatomical site, disease type, and radiation dose parameters (cumulative fluoroscopy time, cumulative dose area product in cine mode, cumulative air kerma, and the number of images acquired). The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparative analysis between groups (P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant). Results Among the 475 included children, 99 cases (20.8%) had infantile hemangioma (median P_ka, 0.136 Gy·cm²; median K_a,r, 0.38 mGy), 235 cases (49.5%) had venous malformation (median P_ka, 9.82 Gy·cm²; median K_a,r, 40.99 mGy), 75 cases (15.8%) had lymphatic malformation (median P_ka, 0.06 Gy·cm²; median K_a,r, 0.18 mGy), 32 cases (6.7%) had retinoblastoma (median P_ka, 6.58 Gy·cm²; median K_a,r, 52.34 mGy), 12 cases (2.5%) had arteriovenous malformation (median P_ka, 42.3 Gy·cm²; median K_a,r, 162.87 mGy), and 22 cases (4.6%) had other vascular malformations (median P_ka, 21.7 Gy·cm²; median K_a,r, 89.1 mGy). There were significant differences between children with different disease types in the cumulative fluoroscopy time, cumulative dose area product in cine mode, cumulative air kerma at the patient entrance reference point, and the number of images acquired during non-cardiac interventional procedures (all P < 0.01). Conclusion This study presented the types and proportions of pediatric non-cardiac interventional procedures, evaluated the radiation dose levels of different surgical types, and analyzed the effects of weight and anatomical site on radiation exposure, which can be useful for preliminary assessment of radiation doses in pediatric non-cardiac interventional procedures.

This study aims to comprehensively analyze the material basis of toad visceral oil(hereafter referred to as toad oil), and explore the pharmacological effect of toad oil on atopic dermatitis(AD). Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-linear ion trap/orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) were employed to comprehensively identify the chemical components in toad oil. The animal model of AD was prepared by the hapten stimulation method. The modeled animals were respectively administrated with positive drug(0.1% hydrocortisone butyrate cream) and low-and high-doses(1%, 10%) of toad oil by gavage. The effect of toad oil on AD was evaluated with the AD score, ear swelling rate, spleen index, and pathological section results as indicators. A total of 99 components were identified by UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS, including 14 bufadienolides, 7 fatty acids, 6 alkaloids, 10 ketones, 18 amides, and other compounds. After methylation of toad oil samples, a total of 20 compounds were identified by GC-MS. Compared with the model group, the low-and high-dose toad oil groups showed declined AD score, ear swelling rate, and spleen index, alleviated skin lesions, and reduced infiltrating mast cells. This study comprehensively analyzes the chemical composition and clarifies the material basis of toad oil. Meanwhile, this study proves that toad oil has a good therapeutic effect on AD and is a reserve resource of traditional Chinese medicine for external use in the treatment of AD.
Animals ; Dermatitis, Atopic/immunology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Male ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Humans ; Bufonidae ; Oils/administration & dosage* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Female ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Objective To explore clinical application value of fetal heart quantification(HQ)technology in evaluating morphology and function of fetal heart in gestational hypertension pregnancy patients.Methods A total of 85 women with gestational hypertension(GH)during gestational age of 20-40 weeks from March 2020 to March 2024 had been selected as experimental group.According to blood pressure,urine protein,and symptoms of pregnant women,experimental group was divided into GH group(n=35),mild preeclampsia(MPE)group(n=28),and severe preeclampsia(SPE)group(n=22).Additionally,150 normal pregnant women with matched gestational age were randomly selected as control group.Fetal HQ technique was adopted to obtain cardiac morphological and functional indicators of groups,and statistical analysis was conducted.Results There was statistically significant difference in global spherical index(GSI)in each group(P＜0.05).Patients in SPE group had rounder fetal hearts.Bariance analysis was performed on fractional area change(FAC),Tei index,and global longitudinal strain(GLS)for each group of patients.There were statistically significant differences in right ventricular GLS and right ventricular Tei index(P＜0.05).The absolute value of right ventricular GLS in SPE group and MPE group was lower than that in control group,while right ventricular Tei index in SPE group was higher than that in control group.Conclusion Fetal HQ technique provides quick and easy quantitative assessment of fetal heart shape and function.Gestational hypertension not only changes the fetal heart morphology,but also affects the fetal heart function,and the fetal right heart system is more affected than the fetal left heart.

Objective:To explore the serum miRNA-144-5p (miR-144-5p) level in liver cancer patients and its relationship with clinical characteristics, as well as the target genes of miR-144-5p and the possible pathogenic mechanisms.Methods:The morning fasting serum samples were retrospectively collected from 100 newly diagnosed liver cancer patients (liver cancer group) before any treatment in Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from June 2019 to June 2020, as well as 100 healthy individuals (healthy control group) during physical examinations in the same period. The real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction method was used to measure the transcription level expression of miR-144-5p in serum. The high and low expressions of miR-144-5p in patients were determined based on the median relative expression level of miR-144-5p; the distribution differences between patients with high and low expressions of miR-144-5p among different clinical pathological features were compared. The online tools miRDB, TargetScan 8.0 and miRWalk were used to predict potential target genes for miR-144-5p, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed through a bioinformatics platform, and complementary sequences between miR-144-5p and target genes were analyzed using RNA22 software.Results:The median age of the liver cancer group was 54 years old, ranging from 38 to 74 years old, including 80 males (80.0%) and 20 females (20.0%); the median age of the healthy control group was 46 years old, ranging from 34 to 66 years old, including 69 males (69.0%) and 31 females (31.0%); there was no statistically significant difference in age and gender composition between the two groups (both P > 0.05). The median transcription level relative expression of miR-144-5p in liver cancer patients was lower than that in the healthy control group [ M ( Q1, Q3)] [0.311 (0.066, 2.270) vs. 1.067 (0.263, 3.620)], and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = -4.16, P < 0.001). The proportion of patients with low expression of miR-144-5p was higher in the group with maximum diameter of tumor > 5 cm compared to the group with maximum diameter of tumor ≤5 cm [59.3% (35/59) vs. 36.6% (15/41)] and in the group with metastasis compared to the group without metastasis [60.4% (29/48) vs. 40.4% (21/52)], and the differences were statistically significant (both P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of patients with high and low expressions of miR-144-5p among different subgroups based on gender, age >55 years, presence of hepatitis, cirrhosis, alpha fetoprotein >400 μ g/L, and differentiation degree (all P > 0.05). According to predictions, there were 34 miR-144-5p target genes shared by the three bioinformatics online tools. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that these target genes were associated with ubiquitination, primarily enriched in the ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis pathway (hsa04120) and the mTOR signaling pathway (hsa04150). RNA22 software analysis showed that miR-144-5p mainly had complementary sequences with 3' untranslated regions of UBR5 and UBE4A genes. Conclusions:The serum miR-144-5p level in liver cancer patients is relatively low, and its expression level may be related to tumor size and metastasis. miR-144-5p may affect the occurrence and development of liver cancer by regulating ubiquitination level through target genes such as UBR5 and UBE4A.

Objective:To screen differentially expressed circular RNAs(circRNA)associated with lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer and investigate their molecular mechanism and biological function.Methods:Cancer tissue samples were collected from 40 cervical cancer patients(20 with lymph node metastasis and 20 without lymph node metastasis).Three specimens were randomly selected from each group,and the circRNA expression profile was analyzed using high-throughput sequencing technology,and perform KEGG and GO enrichment analy-sis was performed on the differentially expressed circRNA derived mother genes.Real-time fluorescence quantita-tive PCR(qRT-PCR)technology was used to validate four significantly upregulated circRNAs with high differential multiples,and a ceRNA network was constructed for database prediction.The relationship between circRNA with the most significant differential expression and clinical pathological features was analyzed.Transfect circRNA small interfering RNA(siRNA)into cervical cancer cell lines.Cell lines were divided into circRNA knockdown group and negative control(si-NC)group.The proliferation of SiHa cells and HeLa cells in cervical cancer was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8).Results:①A total of 2039 differentially expressed circRNAs were detec-ted.The differentially expressed circRNA derived mother genes are mainly enriched in ubiquitin mediated protein hydrolysis,MAPK signaling pathway,endocytosis,apoptosis and other signaling pathways.②Four significantly up-regulated circRNAs with high differential multiples in the transfer group were selected,which are hsa_circ_0067492,hsa_circ_0004904,hsa_circ_0085465,and hsa_circ_0007718.qRT-PCR showed that hsa_circ_0004904,hsa_circ_0085465,and hsa_circ_0007718 were all highly expressed in cervical cancer tissues with lymph node metas-tasis(P<0.01).Hsa_circ_0004904 could interact with microRNAs(miRNAs)such as hsa-miR-3916.Hsa_circ_0085465 could interact with miRNAs such as hsa-miR-4659b-3p,and hsa_circ_0007718 could interact with miRNAs such as hsa-miR-127-5p.③The high and low expression groups of hsa_circ_0004904 showed statistically signigi-cant differences in lymph node metastasis and lymphovascular invasion status(P<0.05).Compared with the si-NC group,the proliferation ability of SiHa cells and HeLa cells was significantly reduced after transfection with hsa_circ_0004904 at 24,48,and 72 hours(P<0.05).Conclusions:Differentially expressed circRNAs were identi-fied in cervical cancer patients with lymph node metastasis.Silencing these circRNAs significantly inhibited the proliferation of cervical cancer cells,suggesting their potential involvement in the progression of lymph node me-tastasis.These circRNAs may serve as specific biomarkers for predicting lymph node metastasis.

Objective:To study the effects of obesity on alveolar bone loss and gut microbiota in mice with periodontitis.Methods:Twenty-four seven-week-old female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups based on table of random numbers ( n=6 in each group): normal-fat diet group (NFD group), high-fat diet group (HFD group), normal-fat diet and periodontitis group (NFD_PD group) and high-fat diet and periodontitis group (HFD_PD group). NFD and HFD groups were fed with normal or high-fat diet for twelve weeks respectively; NFD_PD and HFD_PD groups were induced to periodontitis by ligating the bilateral maxillary second molars with 5-0 silk thread at the fourth week after feeding with normal or high-fat diet respectively. The body weight was measured weekly. The mice were euthanized for collecting the samples at the end of the 12th week. Liver, kidneys, perirenal and retroperitoneal fat were weighed. Serum was collected to detect the level of serum lipids and inflammatory factors. The right maxilla bones were scanned by micro-CT. HE staining was performed to observe the periodontal tissue. The cecum contents were collected for gut microbiota 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between the abundance of gut microbiota and serum inflammatory level and CT value. Results:After 12 weeks of high-fat diet fed, the body weight of HFD group [(26.52±1.96) g] was significantly higher than that of NFD group [(20.95±0.63) g] ( t=6.63, P<0.001). The body weight of HFD_PD group [(23.82±1.12) g] was significantly higher than that of NFD_PD group [(20.73±0.47) g] ( t=6.23, P=0.001). The serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein in HFD group and HFD_PD group were significantly higher than those in NFD group and NFD_PD group ( P<0.01). The distance from the cemento-enamel junction to the alveolar bone crest (CEJ-ABC) on the mesial site of maxillary second molar in HFD_PD group [(647.46±47.46) μm] was significantly higher than that in NFD_PD group [(440.48±68.08) μm] ( t=5.58, P<0.001). HE staining showed that the maxillary second molar attachment loss, collagen fiber destruction and inflammatory cell infiltration were more significant serious in HFD_PD group compared with NFD_PD group. The levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) of serum in HFD_PD group [(17.11±1.92), (31.61±3.20) and (204.42±35.96) ng/L, respectively] were significantly higher than those in NFD_PD group [(10.44±1.65), (19.96±2.09) and (147.36±10.76) ng/L, respectively] ( P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.004). The 16S rRNA gene analysis revealed that the Bacteroides/Firmicutes ratio in HFD_PD group (4.00±3.30) was significantly higher than that in NFD_PD group (0.62±0.19) ( t=2.50, P=0.030). The abundance of Oscillospira in HFD_PD group [(12.25±0.05) %] was significantly higher than that in NFD_PD group [(2.80±0.01) %] ( t=4.64, P<0.001). The abundance of Parabacteroides in HFD_PD group [(0.25±0.27)% ] was significantly lower than that in NFD_PD group [(2.04±0.02)%] ( t=2.32, P=0.043). The β-diversity analysis of gut microbiota based on Bray-Curtis distance showed that samples of HFD_PD group and NFD_PD group were obviously grouped. Correlation analysis showed that the abundance of Oscillospira was positively correlated with IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1 concentration and CEJ-ABC value in serum significantly ( r values were 0.80, 0.79, 0.80, 0.89, P<0.05). The abundance of Parabacteroides was negatively correlated with IL-1β, IL-6 concentration and CEJ-ABC value in serum significantly ( r values were -0.71, -0.71, -0.86, -0.95, P<0.05). Conclusions:Obesity promotes alveolar bone resorption in periodontitis mice and changes the gut microbiota. Oscillospira and Parabacteroides may play a key role.

The paper presents a case of 69-year-old male with marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) manifesting as acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring emergency hemodialysis. The patient presented with fever, fatigue and rapidly progressive renal dysfunction, and serum creatinine was 1 105 μmol/L. Emergency central venous catheterization and hemodialysis were performed. Serum immunofixation electrophoresis revealed monoclonal IgM and λ light chain positivity. Autoantibody testing showed positivity for both anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies. Renal biopsy demonstrated interstitial infiltration by atypical B lymphocytes with λ light chain restriction. The diagnosis of MZL was confirmed by bone marrow biopsy. Following hemodialysis and chemotherapy with bendamustine plus rituximab, renal function significantly improved and remained stable during follow-up. This case highlights that AKI may serve as the initial manifestation of lymphoma, underscoring the importance of considering hematologic malignancies in the differential diagnosis of unexplained renal failure.

Objective:To evaluate the correlation between preoperative platelet function and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute Stanford A aortic dissection(ATAAD) undergoing emergency surgery.Methods:ATAAD emergency surgical patients who underwent preoperative thromboelastography(TEG) examination at three cardiovascular disease hospitals from January 2018 to December 2023 were consecutively selected in this study. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether the patient survived to discharge.Results:867 patients were included in this study. The in-hospital mortality was 11.2%(97 cases). Compared with the DG group(97 cases), the age, pericardial effusion volume, lactate concentration, and MA value of patients in the SG group(770 cases) were higher( P<0.001). Factors independently associated with in-hospital mortality were age(>60 years old), coronary hypoperfusion, pericardial effusion volume(>200.00 ml), and MA value(<60.6 mm). There was a correlation between MA value and in-hospital mortality( P=0.012), and the mediating effect between MA value and platelet count was not significant. Conclusion:There is a correlation between preoperative platelet function and in-hospital in ATAAD patients, and improving platelet function may be one of the important ways to improve the clinical prognosis of those patients.