Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, and its occurrence and development are closely related to the imbalance of local innate immune responses. The caspase family plays a crucial role in regulating inflammatory responses and cell death pathways in periodontal innate immune cells (such as gingival epithelial cells, neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells). These proteases exhibit a dual regulatory effect on cellular functions. On one hand, apoptotic pathways mediated by caspase-3/7/9 enable the programmed clearance of senescent or damaged cells, while pyroptosis pathways mediated by caspase-1/4 contribute to immune defense and pathogen elimination, collectively helping to maintain tissue homeostasis. On the other hand, excessive activation of the caspase-1/gasdermin D pathway, as well as inflammatory amplification pathways involving caspase-4/6/8, promotes the release of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18, leading to the disruption of the epithelial barrier and exacerbation of periodontal tissue damage. Caspase regulation exhibits both commonality and cell specificity. In gingival epithelial cells, caspase-1 mediates pyroptosis and inflammation activation, caspase-3 regulates apoptosis and proliferation signaling, and caspase-4 participates in differentiation regulation and pathogen-selective immune responses, collectively adapting to physiological and pathological changes. Neutrophils can utilize the caspase-1/gasdermin D signaling pathway to drive the release of neutrophil extracellular traps without triggering typical pyroptosis. In macrophages, caspase-1 and caspase-8 synergistically promote polarization toward the M1 phenotype, while caspase-3 acts as an apoptosis executor to facilitate macrophage transition to the M2 phenotype in specific microenvironments. This article reviews caspase’s specific mechanism of action in periodontal innate immune-related cells, aiming to provide a new theoretical basis for targeted regulation of caspase in the treatment of periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the promoting effect of ginsenoside Rb3 (Rb3) on osteogenesis in periodontitis environment, and to explain its mechanism. METHODS: Human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) were cultured by tissue block method and identified by flow cytometry. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) method and calcein acetoxymethyl ester/propidium iodide staining were used to detect the effect of Rb3 on the viability of hPDLSCs cells. In vitro cell experiments were divided into control group, 10 μg/mL lipopolysaccharides (LPS) group, 10 μg/mL LPS+100 μmol/L Rb3 group and 10 μg/mL LPS+200 μmol/L Rb3 group. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining was used to detect the ALP activity of hPDLSCs in each group after osteogenesis induction. The expression of hPDLSCs interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)genes in each group after osteogenesis was detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) method. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of hPDLSCs phosphorrylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) in each group. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control group, ligation group and ligation+Rb3 group. The left molar-maxillary tissue was subjected to micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning. After the scanning, the left molar-maxilla was made into periodontal tissue sections. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to detect the infiltration and loss of adhesion of inflammatory cells. Masson staining was used to detect the destruction of gingival collagen fibers. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the protein expression of RUNX2 and p-ERK. The expression of TGF-β in rat gingival tissue was detected by qRT-PCR. The protein expression of IL-6 in peripheral serum of rats was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of Treg cells in rat heart blood. The experimental data were statistically analyzed by Graph Pad Prism10.1.2 software. RESULTS: Rb3 had no effect on the cell activity of hPDLSCs. The results of qRT-PCR and ALP staining showed that Rb3 could inhibit the gene expression of IL-6 and IL-8 in inflammatory hPDLSCs, promote TGF-β gene and promote the osteogenic differentiation of inflammatory hPDLSCs. Western blot showed that Rb3 inhibited the protein expression of inflammatory hPDLSCs p-ERK. The results from micro-CT, Masson staining, and HE staining demonstrated that Rb3 promotes alveolar bone formation in rats with periodontitis, while simultaneously inhibiting the destruction of periodontal fibrous tissue, reducing attachment loss, and suppressing inflammatory cell infiltration. The results of flow cytometry showed that Rb3 could promote the differentiation of Treg cells in peripheral blood of periodontitis rats. The results of ELISA and qRT-PCR showed that Rb3 could inhibit the protein expression of IL-6 and promote the gene expression of TGF-β in periodontitis rats. Immunofluorescence results showed that Rb3 could promote the protein expression of RUNX2 and inhibit the protein expression of p-ERK in periodontitis rats. CONCLUSIONS Rb3 can reduce the inflammatory reaction of periodontal tissues in periodontitis rats, and promote the osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs by regulating p-ERK pathways.
Animals ; Ginsenosides/pharmacology* ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Periodontitis/metabolism* ; Rats ; Periodontal Ligament/cytology* ; Humans ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit/metabolism* ; Stem Cells/drug effects* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Interleukin-8/metabolism* ; Cells, Cultured ; MAP Kinase Signaling System/drug effects* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Male ; Phosphorylation ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism* ; Alkaline Phosphatase/metabolism*

Objective To investigate the levels of serum adrenomedullin precursor(pro-ADM),soluble leukocyte differentiation antigen 14 subtype(presepsin),and eosinophil chemotactic factor-1(Eotaxin-1)in patients with acute stroke(AS)complicated with pulmonary infection and their relationship with prognosis.Methods A total of 146 patients with AS admitted to the hospital from January 2022 to January 2024 were selected as the research subjects.According to whether the research subjects were complicated with pulmonary infection,they were divided into the infection group with 54 cases and the non-infection group with 92 cases.In addition,100 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations in the hospital during the same period were selected as the control group.The prognosis of patients was evaluated using the modified Rankin scale score,which was divided into good prognosis and poor prognosis.The levels of serum pro-ADM,presepsin,Eotaxin-1 and C-reactive protein(CRP)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of AS complicated with pulmonary infection,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to analyze the diagnostic value of serum CRP,pro-ADM,presepsin,and Eotaxin-1 levels for patients with AS complicated with pulmonary infection.Compare the levels of serum pro-ADM,presepsin and Eotaxin-1 in patients with different prognoses.The rela-tionship between the levels of serum pro-ADM,presepsin and Eotaxin-1 and the prognosis of patients was ana-lyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method.Results The levels of smoking history and serum CRP,pro-ADM,presep-sin,and Eotaxin-1 in the infection group were higher than those in the non-infection group and the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The results of multivariate Logistic regres-sion analysis showed that the levels of serum CRP,pro-ADM,presepsin and Eotaxin-1 were the influencing factors of AS complicated with pulmonary infection(P<0.05).The results of the ROC curve analysis show that the area under the curve(AUC)of the combined diagnosis of AS complicated with pulmonary infection by serum pro-ADM,presepsin and Eotaxin-1 levels was higher than AUC of the individual diagnosis of CRP,pro-ADM,presepsin and Eotaxin-1(Z=3.921,2.445,2.825,3.076,P<0.05).The levels of serum pro-ADM,presepsin and Eotaxin-1 in patients with poor prognosis were higher than those in patients with good progno-sis,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The results of survival analysis by the Kaplan-Meier method showed that the survival rate of patients with high expression of serum pro-ADM,presepsin,and Eotaxin-1 was lower than that of patients with low expression(P<0.05).Conclusion The levels of ser-um pro-ADM,presepsin and Eotaxin-1 in patients with AS complicated with pulmonary infection are related to their prognosis.

BACKGROUND:Fixed-point rotation manipulation of cervical spine is a mechanical operation with high technical requirements,but the biomechanics of fixed-point manipulation of cervical spine still lacks relevant quantitative data.Moreover,the research on the influencing factors of cervical fixed-point rotation manipulation includes many parameters and there are differences,so it is necessary to further analyze its influencing factors to improve its related data. OBJECTIVE:To quantify the biomechanical parameters of cervical spine fixed-point rotation manipulation,explore the correlation between different biomechanical parameters,and the influence of individual characteristics of the subjects on the biomechanical parameters of cervical spine fixed-point rotation manipulation. METHODS:Totally 35 cases of cervical spondylosis were Outpatients from Orthopedic Department of Renai Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine and selected as the subjects investigated.Wearable mechanical measuring gloves were used to collect biomechanical parameters of cervical spine fixed-point rotation manipulation,including:thumb preload,thumb maximum thrust,palm preload,palm wrench force,and palm wrench maximum force.Personal characteristic parameters were collected,including age,height,weight,and neck circumference.The key biomechanical parameters in the process of cervical spine fixed-point rotation manipulation were analyzed and different individual characteristics were quantified.The results of biomechanical parameters were analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis.The possible effects of different individual characteristic parameters on biomechanics were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with bilateral mechanical parameters,there was no significant difference between left manipulation and right manipulation(P>0.05).(2)The average of thumb preload force was(7.21±1.19)N;the average of thumb maximum thrust was(28.40±4.48)N;the average of palm preload was(5.67±2.49)N;the average of palm wrench force was(10.90±5.11)N,and the average of palm wrench maximum force was(16.00±7.27)N.(3)There was a significant positive correlation between palm preload and palm wrench force(Rs=0.812,P<0.01).There was a significant positive correlation between palm preload and palm wrench maximum force(Rs=0.773,P<0.01).There was a significant positive correlation between palm wrench force and palm wrench maximum force(Rs=0.939,P<0.01).(4)The weight was positively correlated with thumb preload,palm preload,palm wrench force and palm wrench maximum force(P<0.05).(5)These findings confirm that there is a certain biomechanical standard value in the operation of cervical spine fixed-point rotation manipulation to treat cervical spondylosis.There is no significant difference between the left and right manipulations,which indicates that the manipulation has good consistency and repeatability.There is consistency and coordination among palm preload force,palm wrench force,and palm wrench maximum force.Their contributions to the therapeutic effect are similar.Body weight is an important factor affecting cervical spine fixed-point rotation manipulation.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of segmental decompression combined with corrective short-segment fusion surgery for the treatment of degenerative lumbar scoliosis.Methods In total,124 patients with degenerative lumbar scoliosis were selected and divided into short-and long-segment fusion groups using the random number table method,with 62 patients in each group.Posterior short-segment decompression,fixation,and fusion were performed in the short-segment fusion group;the fusion segment was the adjacent lumbar vertebra.Posterior long-segment decompression,fixation,and fusion were performed in the long-segment fusion group;the fusion segments included multiple adjacent lumbar vertebrae.At the 6th month after surgery,the coronal Cobb angle of lumbar convexity,sagittal Cobb angle of lumbar lordosis,intervertebral foramen height,intervertebral space height,intervertebral foramen area,spinal canal area,spinal canal diameter,Japanese Orthopedic Association(JOA)score,Oswestry Disability Index(ODI),degree of pain in the lower back and lower limbs,and postoperative complications were compared between the groups.Results The Cobb angle of the coronal lumbar scoliosis in the short-and long-segment fusion groups was significantly higher than that before surgery(P<0.05).At the 6th month after surgery,the intervertebral foramen height,intervertebral space height,intervertebral foramen area,spinal canal area,and spinal canal diameter in both groups increased,and those in the short-segment fusion group were higher than those in the long-segment fusion group(P<0.05);at the 6th month after the operation,the JOA scores of the short-segment and long-segment fusion groups were higher than those before surgery,and the JOA score of the short-segment fusion group was higher than that of the long-segment fusion group(P<0.05).The ODI score was lower than that before surgery in the short-and long-segment fusion groups,and the ODI score in the short-segment fusion group was lower than that in the long-segment fusion group(P<0.05).At the 6th month after surgery,the pain scores of the lower back and lower limbs in the short-and long-segment fusion groups were significantly higher than those before surgery(P<0.05).There were two cases of dural tears during decompression caused by lamina dura adhesion in the long-segment fusion group,and no serious complications were observed in the short-segment fusion group.Conclusions Both short-and long-segment decompression fixation fusion using a posterior approach can achieve good therapeutic effects for treating degenerative lumbar scoliosis.However,compared to the long-segment fusion group,the short-segment fusion group undergoing short-segment decompression fixation fusion through a posterior approach had a shorter surgical period,lower intraoperative blood loss,better recovery of lumbar function,and a lower risk of postoperative complications.

Objective:To establish an HPLC method to determine of vanillin in lysine and vitamin B12 granules.Methods:1.0 g of lysine and vitamin B12 granules was put into a 10mL graduated centrifuge tube,1 mL of water was added to dissolve,vortex for 1 min,and methanol was added to the scale and vortex for 1 min for extraction.The samples were separated on a C18 column(250 mm × 4.6 mm,5 μm)with a mobile phase of methanol and water(35∶65)at ta flow rate of 1.0 mL·min-1.The detection wavelength was 277 nm.Results:The limit of detection of vanillin was 0.2 μg·g-1,and the concentration was linear in the range of 1.962-49.04 μg·mL-1(r=0.999 9).The recoveries of vanillin at low,medium and high levels were 91.86％-101.61％with RSD of 2.9％(n=9).6 batches of samples were determined,and the results showed that the vanillin content in 4 batches of enterprise A was 55.18-79.55 μg·g-1,and no vanillin was detected in enterprise B and enterprise C.Conclusion:The method is simple and reliable,and can be used for the rapid determination of vanillin in lysine and vitamin B12 granules.

Objective:To explore the causal association between inflammatory cytokines and fibromyalgia by Mendelian randomization analysis.Methods:By mining the GWAS Catalog database and FinnGen database, the exposure factor was set as inflammatory cytokines, and the outcome was fibromyalgia. The main analysis method adopted in this study is inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, with MR-Egger, Simple Mode method, weighted median (WM), and Weighted Mode as supplementary statistical methods for Mendelian randomization analysis. Subsequently, by swapping the exposure factors and outcomes, the directionality of the analysis was tested.Results:Among the 91 known inflammatory cytokines, a causal association was found between natural killer cell receptor 2B4 (CD244), monocyte chemotactic protein 2 (MCP-2), C-X-C chemokine 6 (CXCL6), interleukin 12β subunit (IL12B), and fibromyalgia. Among them, CD244, CXCL6, and IL12B were positively correlated with FM [CD244: OR(95% CI)=1.21(1.08, 1.35), P<0.001]. [MCP-2: OR(95% CI)=0.91(0.87, 0.96), P<0.001], [CXCL6: OR(95% CI)=1.15(1.06, 1.24), P<0.001], IL-12B [ OR(95% CI)=1.13(1.06, 1.20), P<0.001]. Sensitivity analysis did not find multiple effects, heterogeneity,or correlation. Conclusion:The increase in the levels of CD244, CXCL6, and IL-12B will increase the risk of FM, while the increase in the level of MCP-2 will reduce the risk of FM disease.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have shown the correlation between lumbosacral sagittal plane parameters and natural absorption of lumbar disc herniation.However,the lumbosacral sagittal plane parameters included lumbar lordosis angle,lumbosacral joint angle,sacral inclination angle and many other parameters.The effects of each parameter on the natural absorption of the herniated disc were different.In addition,there are few studies on the reabsorption of a specific segment of intervertebral disc herniation at present,and most of the measured data are obtained from digital radiography or CT,while the correlation between lumbosacral sagittal plane parameters measured from MRI and reabsorption after L5/S1 intervertebral disc herniation is rarely reported. OBJECTIVE:To study the corresponding changes of lumbar sagittal plane parameters after L5/S1 intervertebral disc herniation reabsorption and to screen out the lumbosacral sagittal plane parameters with the most significant changes during intervertebral disc reabsorption. METHODS:Totally 57 patients with lumbar disc herniation who had complete MRI image data were selected and met the diagnostic criteria for lumbar disc herniation and only received non-surgical treatment for reabsorption of L5/S1 protrusion segments.MRI measured the protrusion area of the maximum protrusion plane in the coronal plane,lumbosacral sagittal plane parameters[lumbar curvature index,lumbar lordosis(α),L5/S1 disc angle(β),intervertebral height measurement,lumbosacral joint angle,sacral platform angle,sacral inclination angle,and lower lumbar lordosis angle].Besides,lumbosacral sagittal plane parameters were ranked in the importance of variables by random forest model in R software,and then significant variables were fitted with multiple linear regression.The changes between parameters before and after treatment were analyzed and compared by paired sample t-test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)A total of 57 patients with L5/S1 lumbar disc herniation were included in this study,and the symptoms and imaging features of the patients were significantly relieved to a large extent.(2)Before treatment,there were 4 cases of grade 1,29 cases of grade 2 and 24 cases of grade 3 according to the Classification of Michigan State University.After treatment,there were 48 cases of grade 1 and 9 cases of grade 2.(3)The random forest model suggested that intervertebral height,lumbar curve index,sacral inclination angle,and lower lumbar lordosis angle changed significantly in L5/S1 disc herniation reabsorption,and the order of their change significance was lumbar curve index>intervertebral space height>sacral inclination angle>lower lumbar lordosis angle.(4)Lumbar curve index,lumbar lordosis and sacral platform angle increased,with statistical significance(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in disc angle,intervertebral height,lower lumbar lordosis angle,sacral inclination angle or lumbosacral joint angle(P>0.05).(5)Lumbar curvature index was the most significant parameter of the lumbosacral sagittal plane in herniated disc reabsorption.In addition,lumbar curve index,sacral inclination angle,and lower lumbar lordosis angle are commonly used clinically to describe the change of lumbar curvature,suggesting that L5/S1 disc herniation reabsorption is correlated with the change of lumbar curvature.It is indicated that in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation,a clinical cure can be achieved by improving or restoring the disordered lumbar curvature.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between blood uric acid level and body composition, exercise capacity, and cardiopulmonary function in medical examination population.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 83 individuals who underwent physical examinations at Peking University Third Hospital from June 1, 2023, to October 1, 2023, and met the inclusion criteria were included. According to whether they had hyperuricemia (HUA), the participants were divided into HUA group (53 cases) and non-HUA group (30 cases). Body composition parameters, such as body mass index and visceral fat area, were measured with a body composition analyzer. Exercise capacity indicators, including grip strength, vertical jump, back strength, and sit-and-reach test, were measured using specific monitoring devices. Cardiopulmonary function was assessed using the stair index test. The clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared with t-tests or chi-square tests, and the correlation between uric acid levels and body composition, exercise capacity, and cardiopulmonary function was analyzed. Results:The HUA group had significantly higher skeletal muscle mass, body fat mass, body mass index, and visceral fat area when compared with the non-HUA group [(31.92±5.60) vs (26.11±6.19) kg, (23.66±9.33) vs (17.19±5.00) kg, (26.53±3.68) vs (23.27±3.59) kg/m2, 91.20 (74.25, 123.90) vs 68.25 (56.25, 90.48) cm 2, respectively] (all P<0.05). The grip strength, vertical jump, and back pull strength were all lower in the HUA group [32.70 (25.25, 40.30) vs 42.35 (35.95, 48.10) kg, 30.30 (24.10, 36.48) vs 40.55 (33.06, 45.10) kg, 24.20(20.60, 32.23) vs 29.90 (25.20, 35.50) cm, 65.60 (51.75, 78.00) vs 91.00 (67.25, 111.50) kg, respectivley] (all P<0.05). The increased step index was positively correlated with reduced risk of hyperuricemia ( OR=0.875, 95% CI: 0.793-0.966) ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Blood uric acid level is correlated with cardiopulmonary function in medical examination population. Individuals with better cardiopulmonary function have a lower risk of developing HUA. However, the relationship between blood uric acid level and body composition and exercise capacity is not clear.

Objective:To evaluate the use of serosa muscular layers circumferential incision combined with mucosal layer cutting and closure by laparoscopic or robotic surgery for gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors at difficult sites of the stomach.Methods:From Jul 2019 to Apr 2021, 18 gastric mesenchymal tumor patients undergoing serosa muscular layers circumferential incision combined with mucosal layer cutting and closure by laparoscopic or robotic surgery at the Department of Surgery, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University were retrospectively analyzed.Results:All 18 patients had successful surgery, including 7 cases of robotic surgery, 11 cases of laparoscopic surgery, and there was no conversion to open surgery. Tumors were at the gastric in cardia, 8 cases at the gastric body and lesser curvature in 4 cases, and at the gastric antrum in 6 cases, respectively. Eleven cases were of endogenous and 7 cases were of dumbbell type. The average operation time was (99±29) min, the intraoperative blood loss was (10±5) ml, the first time taking food per mouth was (2.0±1.0) d, and the postoperative hospital stay was (4.9 ± 1.2) d. Pathology showed gastrointestinal stromal tumor in 11 cases, leiomyoma in 5 cases and schwannoma in 2 cases. All were with negative margins. The average tumor diameter was (4.7±1.4) cm. The median follow-up time was 16.5 months, and there was no sign of tumor recurrence or metastasis.Conclusion:The serosa muscular layers circumferential incision combined with mucosal layer cutting and closure technique in laparoscopic or robotic surgery is a safe and feasible procedure for treating gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumor at difficult sites of the stomach.