Objective:To explore the association between oral health status, the lower respiratory tract microbiome, and the frequent acute exacerbation phenotype in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:This cross-sectional study enrolled 39 patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) hospitalized in the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Henan Provincial People′s Hospital between March 2021 and December 2022. Based on the number of hospitalization episodes for acute exacerbation in the past year, patients were divided into a frequent exacerbator group (≥2 times, n=28) and a non-frequent exacerbator group (<2 times, n=11). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were collected from all subjects for metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). Oral health indicators and clinical data were also collected. Statistical analyses were performed using Spearman correlation analysis and multivariable Firth logistic regression analysis. Results:The frequent exacerbation group showed a significantly higher percentage of individuals with≥8 tooth loss compared to the non-frequent exacerbation group (96.4% vs 18.2%, P<0.001), a significantly younger age at first tooth loss in adulthood (53.96±7.30 years vs 62.10±5.80 years, P=0.003), and a significantly higher proportion of individuals who hardly brushed their teeth (50.00% vs 9.09%, P=0.038). The alpha-diversity indices of the lower respiratory tract microbiota were significantly lower in the frequent exacerbation group than in the non-frequent exacerbation group (all P<0.01). The relative abundances of Bacillota, Bacteroidota, Fusobacteriota, Streptococcus, Prevotella, Veillonella, Neisseria, Rothia, Prevotellamelaninogenica, Prevotellajejuni, Rothia mucilaginosa, Veillonella parvula, and Neisseria subflava were lower in the frequent exacerbation group (all P<0.05). In patients with AECOPD, the exacerbation frequency and the presence of ≥8 tooth loss were both negatively correlated with the Shannon index ( r=-0.854, P<0.001; r=-0.642, P<0.001, respectively). Further analysis revealed that Bacillota ( r=-0.862, P<0.001) and Streptococcus ( r=-0.814, P<0.001) were significantly negatively correlated with exacerbation frequency, while Pseudomonas was positively correlated with exacerbation frequency (all P<0.05). Bacillota ( r=0.369, P=0.021), Fusobacteriota ( r=0.368, P=0.021), and Veillonella ( r=0.379, P=0.017) were positively correlated with FEV 1% predicted. Multivariable Firth logistic regression analysis revealed that the first principal component of the microbial community ( OR=2.29, 95% CI: 1.20-11.07) and the loss of≥8 teeth ( OR=14.37, 95% CI: 1.42-482.51) were independent factors associated with frequent acute exacerbations. Conclusion:Frequent acute exacerbations of COPD are significant association with deteriorated oral health and dysbiosis of the lower respiratory tract microbiome, characterized by reduced alpha-diversity and depletion of commensal bacteria.

G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) participates in the phosphorylation and desensitization of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), impacting various biological processes such as inflammation and cell proliferation. Dysregulated expression and activity of GRK2 have been reported in multiple cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, whether and how GRK2 regulates synovial hyperplasia and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) proliferation is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the regulation of GRK2 and its biological function in RA. We found that GRK2 transmembrane activity was increased in FLSs of RA patients and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats. Additionally, we noted a positive correlation between high GRK2 expression on the cell membrane and serological markers associated with RA and CIA. Immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry and pull-down analyses revealed tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) as a novel substrate of GRK2. Furthermore, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and molecular docking assays determined that the C-terminus of GRK2 binds to the C-terminus of TRAF2 at the Gln340 residue. GRK2 knockdown and the GRK2 inhibitor CP-25 attenuated synovial hyperplasia and FLS proliferation in CIA both in vitro and in vivo by decreasing GRK2 membrane expression and activity. Mechanistically, increased GRK2 transmembrane activity contributed to the recruitment of TRAF2 on the cell membrane, promoting GRK2-TRAF2 interactions that facilitate the recruitment of the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM47 to TRAF2. This enhanced TRAF2 Lys63 polyubiquitylation and induced nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation, leading to synovial hyperplasia and abnormal proliferation of FLSs. Our study provides a mechanistic and preclinical rationale for further evaluation of GRK2 as a therapeutic target for RA.

Enamel demineralization, the formation of white spot lesions, is a common issue in clinical orthodontic treatment. The appearance of white spot lesions not only affects the texture and health of dental hard tissues but also impacts the health and aesthetics of teeth after orthodontic treatment. The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of white spot lesions that occur throughout the orthodontic treatment process involve multiple dental specialties. This expert consensus will focus on providing guiding opinions on the management and prevention of white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment, advocating for proactive prevention, early detection, timely treatment, scientific follow-up, and multidisciplinary management of white spot lesions throughout the orthodontic process, thereby maintaining the dental health of patients during orthodontic treatment.
Humans ; Consensus ; Dental Caries/etiology* ; Dental Enamel/pathology* ; Tooth Demineralization/etiology* ; Tooth Remineralization

The prevalence of Class III malocclusion varies among different countries and regions. The populations from Southeast Asian countries (Chinese and Malaysian) showed the highest prevalence rate of 15.8%, which can seriously affect oral function, facial appearance, and mental health. As anterior crossbite tends to worsen with growth, early orthodontic treatment can harness growth potential to normalize maxillofacial development or reduce skeletal malformation severity, thereby reducing the difficulty and shortening the treatment cycle of later-stage treatment. This is beneficial for the physical and mental growth of children. Therefore, early orthodontic treatment for Class III malocclusion is particularly important. Determining the optimal timing for early orthodontic treatment requires a comprehensive assessment of clinical manifestations, dental age, and skeletal age, and can lead to better results with less effort. Currently, standardized treatment guidelines for early orthodontic treatment of Class III malocclusion are lacking. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the etiology, clinical manifestations, classification, and early orthodontic techniques for Class III malocclusion, along with systematic discussions on selecting early treatment plans. The purpose of this expert consensus is to standardize clinical practices and improve the treatment outcomes of Class III malocclusion through early orthodontic treatment.
Humans ; Malocclusion, Angle Class III/classification* ; Orthodontics, Corrective/methods* ; Consensus ; Child

Objective:To measure the length and curvature of the external auditory canal (EAC) centerline using a three-dimensional (3D) measurement method based on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on HRCT images of healthy EAC from 49 patients (64 ears) examined at the Sixth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from June to October 2024. The cohort included 25 males (28 ears) and 24 females (36 ears), aged 22-78 years (mean age 47.3 years), categorized into age groups: 18-30 years (20 ears), 31-60 years (22 ears), and 61-80 years (22 ears). The EAC comprised 29 left and 35 right ears. 3D reconstruction of the EAC was performed using medical software (3D Slicer), and the central curve of the EAC was extracted using an improved measurement method to determine its length and curvature. Statistical analysis was performed using Origin Pro 2023 software to compare differences across genders, sides, and age groups.Results:The measurements of EAC length and curvature revealed that the EAC was significantly longer in males than in females (27.46 mm vs. 25.44 mm, P=0.014) and longer on the right side than on the left (27.99 mm vs. 25.87 mm, P=0.031). No statistically significant difference in EAC length was observed among the different age groups ( P>0.05). Furthermore, no statistically significant differences in EAC curvature were found regarding gender, side, or age group (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The HRCT-based 3D reconstruction technique enables the establishment of a rapid and effective automated workflow for extracting the central curve of the EAC and systematically measuring its length and curvature. The data obtained provide a reference and methodological support for further research on anatomical variations of the human EAC and its potential clinical applications, such as the design of otological instruments or surgical planning.

Objective:To measure the length and curvature of the external auditory canal (EAC) centerline using a three-dimensional (3D) measurement method based on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on HRCT images of healthy EAC from 49 patients (64 ears) examined at the Sixth Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from June to October 2024. The cohort included 25 males (28 ears) and 24 females (36 ears), aged 22-78 years (mean age 47.3 years), categorized into age groups: 18-30 years (20 ears), 31-60 years (22 ears), and 61-80 years (22 ears). The EAC comprised 29 left and 35 right ears. 3D reconstruction of the EAC was performed using medical software (3D Slicer), and the central curve of the EAC was extracted using an improved measurement method to determine its length and curvature. Statistical analysis was performed using Origin Pro 2023 software to compare differences across genders, sides, and age groups.Results:The measurements of EAC length and curvature revealed that the EAC was significantly longer in males than in females (27.46 mm vs. 25.44 mm, P=0.014) and longer on the right side than on the left (27.99 mm vs. 25.87 mm, P=0.031). No statistically significant difference in EAC length was observed among the different age groups ( P>0.05). Furthermore, no statistically significant differences in EAC curvature were found regarding gender, side, or age group (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The HRCT-based 3D reconstruction technique enables the establishment of a rapid and effective automated workflow for extracting the central curve of the EAC and systematically measuring its length and curvature. The data obtained provide a reference and methodological support for further research on anatomical variations of the human EAC and its potential clinical applications, such as the design of otological instruments or surgical planning.

Objective:To explore the association between oral health status, the lower respiratory tract microbiome, and the frequent acute exacerbation phenotype in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:This cross-sectional study enrolled 39 patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) hospitalized in the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Henan Provincial People′s Hospital between March 2021 and December 2022. Based on the number of hospitalization episodes for acute exacerbation in the past year, patients were divided into a frequent exacerbator group (≥2 times, n=28) and a non-frequent exacerbator group (<2 times, n=11). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were collected from all subjects for metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). Oral health indicators and clinical data were also collected. Statistical analyses were performed using Spearman correlation analysis and multivariable Firth logistic regression analysis. Results:The frequent exacerbation group showed a significantly higher percentage of individuals with≥8 tooth loss compared to the non-frequent exacerbation group (96.4% vs 18.2%, P<0.001), a significantly younger age at first tooth loss in adulthood (53.96±7.30 years vs 62.10±5.80 years, P=0.003), and a significantly higher proportion of individuals who hardly brushed their teeth (50.00% vs 9.09%, P=0.038). The alpha-diversity indices of the lower respiratory tract microbiota were significantly lower in the frequent exacerbation group than in the non-frequent exacerbation group (all P<0.01). The relative abundances of Bacillota, Bacteroidota, Fusobacteriota, Streptococcus, Prevotella, Veillonella, Neisseria, Rothia, Prevotellamelaninogenica, Prevotellajejuni, Rothia mucilaginosa, Veillonella parvula, and Neisseria subflava were lower in the frequent exacerbation group (all P<0.05). In patients with AECOPD, the exacerbation frequency and the presence of ≥8 tooth loss were both negatively correlated with the Shannon index ( r=-0.854, P<0.001; r=-0.642, P<0.001, respectively). Further analysis revealed that Bacillota ( r=-0.862, P<0.001) and Streptococcus ( r=-0.814, P<0.001) were significantly negatively correlated with exacerbation frequency, while Pseudomonas was positively correlated with exacerbation frequency (all P<0.05). Bacillota ( r=0.369, P=0.021), Fusobacteriota ( r=0.368, P=0.021), and Veillonella ( r=0.379, P=0.017) were positively correlated with FEV 1% predicted. Multivariable Firth logistic regression analysis revealed that the first principal component of the microbial community ( OR=2.29, 95% CI: 1.20-11.07) and the loss of≥8 teeth ( OR=14.37, 95% CI: 1.42-482.51) were independent factors associated with frequent acute exacerbations. Conclusion:Frequent acute exacerbations of COPD are significant association with deteriorated oral health and dysbiosis of the lower respiratory tract microbiome, characterized by reduced alpha-diversity and depletion of commensal bacteria.

Objective To construct a stable synovial cell line MH7A from rheumatoid arthritis(RA)patients using lentiviral vectors that interfere with the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 2(TRAF2),and to study the role of TNF-α-TRAF2 signaling in MH7A abnormal proliferation.Methods Based on the design principles of human TRAF2 gene sequence and shRNA sequence,three pairs of TRAF2 shRNA interference se-quences were designed and synthesized.The primers were annealed by PCR,and a linear vector was obtained by double enzyme digestion PLKO.1-puro.The linearized vector was connected to the annealed primers through Solu-tion I,and the connected products were introduced into receptive cells.The plates were coated,and positive colo-nies were selected for sequencing.Three different recombinant plasmids of PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA lentivirus were constructed,and lentivirus packaging plasmids was used to package logarithmic growth phase HEK 293T cells.Vi-rus solution was collected to infect MH7A cells.At the same time,puromycin was used to screen MH7A stable transgenic strains with low TRAF2 expression.CCK-8 method,Western blot,and qPCR were used to detect the proliferation function of MH7A induced by TNF-α and low expression of TRAF2,as well as downstream signal TRAF2,P65 protein expression and mRNA levels.Results PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA(1),PLKO.1-TRAF2-shR-NA(2),and PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA(3)lentivirus vector plasmids and control group lentivirus vector plasmids PLKO.1-puro were successfully constructed.The three TRAF2-shRNA lentivirus vector plasmids and control group lentivirus vector plasmids PLKO.1-puro were respectively introduced into the lentivirus packaging plasmid of HEK 293T to obtain virus solution.After infecting MH7A cells with the virus solution,they were treated with puromycin(2.00 μ G/mL)screening and obtaining MH7A stable transgenic plants after 2 days.Through qPCR and Western blot results,it was found that the expression of TRAF2 mRNA and protein in PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA(1)MH7A stably transfected cells was significantly reduced compared to the negative control group.The results of CCK-8 and Western blot showed that after knocking down TRAF2 in MH7A,the proliferation of MH7A cells with low TRAF2 expression induced by TNF-α and the phosphorylation level of P65 were significantly reduced.Conclusion A sta-ble transgenic strain of PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA(1)MH7A cells was successfully constructed to investigate the role of TNF-α-TRAF2 signal activation in mediating abnormal proliferation of RA synovial cells.

BACKGROUND:Human plantar pressure can reflect the health status of the lower limbs and even the whole body,which is an important basis for gait analysis,and body mass index is an important influencing factor. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of body mass index on plantar pressure. METHODS:Twenty young college students from Xuzhou Medical University,including 10 males and 10 females aged 19-21 years,were selected as test subjects and divided into three groups according to the body mass index value:overweight group(body mass index>25 kg/m2,n=3),lean group(body mass index<18 kg/m2,n=4),and normal group(body mass index 18-25 kg/m2,n=13).A natural walking gait test was carried out on the three groups of subjects with a Zebris pressure distribution measurement plate to obtain the complete gait cycle parameters.The time proportion of support time phase,peak pressure,time to peak force,peak force and impulse volume were analyzed and the correlation between each parameter and the body mass index was analyzed by Person analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the other two groups,the time proportion of support time phase of subjects in the overweight group was relatively small,while the time proportion in the foot heel contact period and forefoot extension period was relatively large.There was a positive correlation of the time proportion of the foot heel contact period and forefoot extension period with body mass index,while there was a negative correlation between the time proportion of the arch support period and body mass index.(2)The peak pressure of the left arch and palm of the foot of the subjects of the overweight group was higher than that of the normal group,and the peak pressure of the left and right palm of the foot of the lean group was lower than that of the normal group.The peak pressure was positively correlated with the body mass index during the foot heel contact period.There was a significant positive correlation between the peak pressure of the left foot and body mass index during the arch support period as well as the peak pressure of both feet and body mass index during the forefoot extension period.(3)Plantar peak force time in the order of the gait cycle in increasing order:heeltoe/middle 2-4 metatarsal>lateral heel>medial and lateral metatarsal>arch;medial heel peak force was the largest,and the arch peak force was the smallest.Except for the toe of the left foot,there was a significant positive correlation between peak force and body mass index.(5)The maximum ground impulse of the lean group and the overweight group was in the foot heel contact stage,the minimum ground impulse was in the forefoot extension period,and the minimum ground impulse of the arch was in the normal group.There was a significant positive correlation between ground impulse and body mass index at different periods.(6)The results show that young people should control their body mass index,wear appropriate shoes,protect their feet and ankles,and prevent the occurrence of flat feet.

Background and objective Small cell lung cancer(SCLC)is known as recalcitrant cancer with high malignancy and heterogeneity.Immunotherapy has changed the treatment pattern of extensive-disease SCLC(ED-SCLC),but the beneficiary population is limited.Therefore,exploring new therapeutic strategies is an urgent clinical problem to be solved for SCLC.SCLC is characterized by highly active glycolytic metabolism and pyruvate kinase Ml(PKM1)is one of the isozymes of PK,an important rate-limiting enzyme in glycolysis pathway.Previous studies have shown that PKM1 is related to autophagy and drug sensitivity,however,how PKM1 regulates drug sensitivity in SCLC and its mechanism remain unclear.The aim of this study was to investigate the biological functions of PKM1 in SCLC,including its effects on proliferation,migra-tion,autophagy,drug sensitivity,and expression of neuroendocrine(NE)-related markers in SCLC.Methods Western blot was used to detect the expression level of PKM1 in SCLC cells.PKM1 gene-overexpressed SCLC cell lines were constructed by stable lentivirus transfection.Proliferation of cells and drug sensitivity were detected by MTT,and migration ability of cells was determined by Transwell.The level of autophagy was detected by flow cytometry.Western blot was used to determine the expression levels of NE-related proteins.Results PKM1 was differentially expressed among various SCLC cell lines,and was lower in H1092 cells(P＜0.01).Compared with the control group,there was no significant difference in proliferation level of PKM1 overexpressing H1092 cell,but the migration ability was significantly increased(P＜0.001),the drug sensitivity was re-duced,and the level of autophagy was inhibited(P＜0.001).Additionally,overexpression of PKM1 could upregulate the expres-sion of non-neuroendocrine(non-NE)-related proteins(P＜0.01)and decrease the expression of NE-related proteins(P＜0.01).Conclusion PKM1 was differentially expressed in SCLC cell lines,and high expression of PKM1 did not affect the prolifera-tion,but affected the migration of SCLC cells.PKM1 might affect drug sensitivity by inhibiting autophagy and regulating the expression of NE markers.These results provide a theoretical basis for exploring the role of PKM1 in SCLC.