OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore the potential relationships of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) with periodontal clinical indicators and the expression of DNA receptor pathway cyclic guanosine phosphate-adenosine phosphate synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) in gingival tissues and human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). METHODS: GCF and gingival tissue samples were collected from periodontally healthy individuals and patients diagnosed with periodontitis. Periodontal clinical indicators were recorded, including plaque index (PLT), bleeding index (BI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). The concentration of cfDNA in GCF was quantified, and the correlation between GCF and periodontal clinical indicators was analyzed. Immunofluorescence and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to assess the distribution of cGAS, STING, and p-STING in gingival tissues. Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of the key components of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, namely, cGAS, STING, inhibitory of kappa-B kinase (IKK), nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κB p65), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were measured. Furthermore, cfDNA extracted from GCF was employed to stimulate HGFs in the healthy control and periodontitis groups, and the mRNA expression levels of the key molecules of cGAS-STING signaling pathway were detected through Western blot and RT-qPCR. RESULTS: The concentration of cfDNA in GCF was found to be significantly elevated in the periodontitis group compared with the control group. Moreover, cfDNA concentration demonstrated a strong positive correlation with the periodontal clinical indicators. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed considerably increased percentage of fluorescence co-localization of cGAS, STING, and p-STING with the gingival fibroblast FSP-1 marker in the gingival tissues of the periodontitis group. The mRNA expression levels of cGAS, STING, IKK, NF-κB p65, IL-1β, IL-6,and TNF-α were significantly higher in the periodontitis group. In vitro stimulation of HGFs with GCF-derived cfDNA resulted in increased protein expression of cGAS and p-STING and considerably upregulated the mRNA expression levels of cGAS, STING, IKK, NF-κB p65, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the healthy and periodontitis groups compared with the blank group. Correlation analysis showed that the concentration of cfDNA at the sampling site was positively correlated with the mRNA expression levels of cGAS, STING, NF-κB p65, and IL-6 in gingival tissues. CONCLUSIONS cfDNA concentrations in the GCF of patients with periodontitis are considerably elevated, and are associated with the activation of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in HGFs. These findings suggest that cfDNA contributes to the progression of periodontitis.
Humans ; Gingival Crevicular Fluid/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Gingiva/cytology* ; Nucleotidyltransferases/genetics* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Cell-Free Nucleic Acids/analysis* ; Fibroblasts/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Periodontitis/metabolism* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Adult ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Male ; Female

AIM: To assess the effectiveness of selective laser trabeculoplasty(SLT)in the treatment of primary open angle glaucoma(POAG).METHODS:Totally 24 patients(33 eyes)with POAG who had poor control of intraocular pressure(IOP)from June 2022 to December 2023 were included in this retrospective study, and all of them were treated with SLT. Furthermore, the IOP, mean deviation(MD), mean sensitivity(MS), and the thickness and vascular density(VD)of optic disc nerve layer were compared after treatment. RESULTS: There were significant reducion in IOP at 1, 3, 6, 12 mo after treatment(all P<0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in MD and MS before treatment and at 6 and 12 mo after treatment(all P>0.05), and there were no statistical significant differences in the thickness and VD of optic disc(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION: SLT can significantly reduce IOP in POAG patients in the short term, without damaging the visual field and optic disc nerves, while the effectiveness of SLT decreases over time.

Stress refers to the non-specific responses of a stimulated body to different stressors and the subsequent maintenance or restoration of internal environmental homeostasis.Adverse stress reactions lead to general balance disruption and may cause digestive,neurological,and endocrine disorders,and decreased immune capacity,which seriously impact host health.As the core compo-nent of intestinal micro-ecology,the intestinal flora can greatly alter its own composition,distribu-tion,function,metabolic product output,and other aspects during stress,which cause disorders and aggravate homeostatic imbalance in internal environments.While the intestinal flora is of great sig-nificance to animal medicine and agricultural production,little is known about stress and its impact on intestinal flora.Therefore,we briefly reviewed the impact of stress on animal intestinal flora in combination with the latest research and provided theoretical insights on intestinal health research.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of the curriculum design and teaching mode reform in Health Statistics through the assessment by postgraduate students so as to enhance the teaching performance of the course.Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among the postgraduate students of grade 2023 at a certain medical university.The survey covered such aspects as students'mastery and application of the course learning content,their evaluation and satisfaction with the course,etc.Descriptive approaches were employed to analyze and summarize the data.Results Students achieved a good command of theoretical knowledge and its application.They highly evaluated the teacher,the course content and its practicality,demonstrated a strong interest in learning,expressed a high level of satisfaction with the course,and manifested a strong willingness to continue studying the course.The learning of the course met the expectations of the students.The final exam scores in the later stage of curriculum reform(78.60±10.58)was higher than that before the reform(75.78±7.97,P<0.05);the excellent rate after the reform was 53.6%,which was higher than the 33.5%before the reform(P<0.05).Conclusion The construction of a course system that integrates knowledge,skills the mixed teaching mode of case-based teaching and the combination of theory and statistical software package operation are beneficial for enhancing postgraduate students'learning and application of the course in health statistics.It also strengthens the design and training of course application aspects for students in clinical medicine and dental medicine disciplines.

ObjectiveTo study the relationship between qi stagnation constitution and suboptimal health status (SHS) or lifestyle.MethodsFrom 2012 to 2013, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 24 159 Chinese individuals aged 12–80 years. The qi stagnation constitution was assessed using the Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire. Health status was evaluated through medical records and the Subhealth Measurement Scale V1.0 (SHMS V1.0). Health-promoting lifestyles were measured using the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II).ResultsOf the 24 159 participants, 16.1% and 15.2% were classified as “always” and “sometimes” having the qi stagnation constitution, respectively. Those classified as “rarely” having the qi stagnation constitution scored higher on both the HPLP-II and SHMS V1.0. The participants classified as “always” having the qi stagnation constitution showed a significant association with SHS or disease compared to other imbalanced constitutions. Those in the “always” category were approximately 21 times more likely to be classified as having SHS (odds ratio [OR]: 21.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.74–28.45), whereas those in the “sometimes” category were approximately six times more likely (OR: 5.89, 95% CI: 5.04–6.90). Accordingly, the qi stagnation constitution score was significantly associated with the diagnosis of SHS, with an area under the curve of 0.77 (P .001). A score of 18.75 yielded the highest Youden Index (0.407), with a sensitivity of 60.5% and a specificity of 80.3%. Significant associations were observed between health-promoting lifestyles and qi stagnation constitution severity in an ordinal regression analysis (P .001). Protective factors included stress management (OR: 1.59), self-actualization (OR: 1.57), and exercise (OR: 1.36). In contrast, poorer interpersonal relationships (OR: 0.79), greater health responsibilities (OR: 0.86), and poorer nutrition (OR: 0.91) were associated with increased severity.ConclusionModulating the qi stagnation constitution through lifestyle interventions may help prevent the progression of SHS to disease, which aligns with core preventive principles in traditional Chinese medicine.

Stress refers to the non-specific responses of a stimulated body to different stressors and the subsequent maintenance or restoration of internal environmental homeostasis.Adverse stress reactions lead to general balance disruption and may cause digestive,neurological,and endocrine disorders,and decreased immune capacity,which seriously impact host health.As the core compo-nent of intestinal micro-ecology,the intestinal flora can greatly alter its own composition,distribu-tion,function,metabolic product output,and other aspects during stress,which cause disorders and aggravate homeostatic imbalance in internal environments.While the intestinal flora is of great sig-nificance to animal medicine and agricultural production,little is known about stress and its impact on intestinal flora.Therefore,we briefly reviewed the impact of stress on animal intestinal flora in combination with the latest research and provided theoretical insights on intestinal health research.

Objective　To analyze the clinical and imaging characteristics of cerebral infarction patients with unilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO),and to explore the pathogenesis of cerebral infarction and the related factors of hemorrhage transformation in different parts of MCAO.Methods　A total of 159 MCAO patients with acute cerebral infarction were divided into proximal MCAO group and distal MCAO group according to the location of occlusion.The clinical and imaging characteristics of the two groups were compared,and the independent risk factors of MCAO hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in different locations were analyzed by a multivariate logistics regression analysis method.Results　The proportion of hypertension and hyperlipidemia in proximal MCAO group was higher than that in distal MCAO group (P<0.05),the proportion of atrial fibrillation was significantly lower than that of distal MCAO group (P<0.01).The proportion of atherosclerotic type in proximal MCAO group was higher than that in distal MCAO group(P<0.01).The proportion of infarction involving basal ganglia and hemorrhage transformation (HT) in distal MCAO group was higher than that in proximal MCAO group (P<0.05),binary logistic regression analysis showed that different occlusion location of MCA and whether basal ganglia was involved were independent risk factors for hemorrhage transformation after infarction (P<0.05).Conclusion　Proximal MCAO cerebral infarction is mostly caused by atherosclerotic aorta,while distal MCAO cerebral infarction is mostly caused by cardiogenic embolism.Patients with distal MCAO infarction involving basal ganglia are prone to hemorrhage transformation,which may be related to reperfusion injury.

Objective:To assess the predictive factors and prognosis of post-stroke seizures.Methods:A total of 315 inpatients with acute anterior circulation cerebral infarction from January 2018 to December 2018 were retrospectively collected, including 95 patients with PSS as observation group and 220 patients without PSS as control group.Clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded, including gender, age, lesion specificity, imaging features, past history, and the time and type of seizures.The Alberta stroke program early CT score (ASPECTS) was used to assess the extent of infarction, the national institutes of health stroke scale (NIHSS) and the modified rankin scale (MRS) were used to assess the severity and prognosis of cerebral infarction.The hemorrhage transformation of cerebral infarction was graded according to the European cooperative acute stroke study Ⅲ(ECASS Ⅲ) classification system.SPSS 21.0 software was used for data analysis.Chi-square test was used for categorical variables and t-test or non-parametric test was used for continuous variables. Results:The observation group had lower ASPECTS scores compared with the control group (5(4, 7), 7 (5, 8)), the presence of atrial fibrillation, hemorrhage transformation, laminar necrosis(LN) and hemosiderin deposition (31.6%, 45.3%, 24.2%, 26.3%) were higher than those of control group (20.9%, 28.2%, 9.1%, 16.4%), and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). In multivariate analysis, ASPECTS score ( OR=0.658, 95% CI=0.556-0.778, P<0.001), hemorrhage transformation ( OR=2.307, 95% CI=1.311-4.059, P=0.004), LN ( OR=2.530, 95% CI=1.250-5.123, P=0.010) and hemosiderin deposition ( OR=2.308, 95% CI=1.201-4.436, P=0.012) were the influencing factors of PSS.Partial secondary generalized seizures was the most common type of seizures, and in this group it accounted for 42.1% (40/95), simple partial seizures and complex partial seizures accounted for 12.6% (12/95)respectively, and generalized seizures accounted for 32.6% (31/95). The mean follow-up time of the two groups was 24.1 months and 24.6 months, respectively.The scores of MRS at the last follow-up and discharge (3(2, 4), 2(1, 4)) of the observation group were better than those of the control group (2(1, 3), 1(1, 3)), and the differences were statistically significant(both P<0.05). Conclusions:PSS after cerebral infarction can affect the prognosis of patients, and the large infarction scope, hemorrhage transformation, LN and hemosiderin deposition are the high risk factors of PSS.

Objective:To investigate the application value and treatment opportunity of single balloon enteroscopy in children with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome(PJS).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 33 children diagnosed with PJS in Hunan Children′s Hospital from January 2011 to September 2021.The patient′s age, gender, family history, clinical symptoms, enteroscopy examination and treatment, number of polyps, intraoperative and pos-toperative complications, surgical treatment, recurrence of surgery, and follow-up data were analyzed, and the chi- square test was used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 33 PJS children aged (9.00±3.13) years, including 21 males and 12 females, were included.All of them received at least once single balloon enteroscopy test.The main manifestations of the children were black spots (33 cases) and multiple polyps in the digestive tract (31 cases). In all the 33 cases, black spots were distributed on lips.Some black spots were also found at the end of fingers (3 cases), at the end of foot toes(2 cases), and at the end of finger toes (6 cases). During the operation, 391 polyps were removed, most of which were jejunum polyps (37.08%, 145/391 polyps). Eleven children with PJS has intussusception, of which intestinal intussusception accounted for 90.91% (10/11 cases). Ten cases (30.30%, 10/33 cases) received surgical treatment, and 72.73% (8/11 cases) underwent surgery for acute refractory intussusception.One case had intestinal perforation and 2 cases were bleeding during the operation, and the 3 cases recovered completely after hemostatic clip sealing and surgical treatment.The incidence of hollow ileum polyps and giant polyps in children aged >8 years was higher than that in children aged ≤8 years[92.55% (149/161 polyps) vs.7.45%(12/161 polyps), 96.20%(76/79 polyps) vs.3.80% (3/79 polyps)]. The differences were statistically significant ( χ2=9.854, 8.711, all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of intussusception among different age groups ( P>0.05). Among the 33 children with PJS, 57.58% (19/33 cases) had recurrence 1-3 years after operation, and no cases of cancer have been followed up so far. Conclusions:Intestinal polyps are common in children with PJS, and the application of single-balloon enteroscopy in children with PJS is reliable and safe.Children over 8 years old are more vulnerable to empty ileum polyps and giant polyps.Therefore, it is advised that children aged above 8 years with PJS should undergo at least once enteroscopy.

Purpose: This study compared the diagnostic performance of the Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System (O-RADS), the Risk of Malignancy Index 4 (RMI4), the International Ovarian of Tumor Analysis Logistic Regression Model 2 (IOTA LR2), and the IOTA Simple Rules (IOTA SR) in predicting the malignancy of adnexal masses (AMs). Methods: This retrospective study included 575 women with AMs between 2017 and 2020. All clinical messages, ultrasound images, and pathological findings were collected. Two senior doctors (group I) and two junior doctors (group II) used the four systems to classify AMs. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was used as the gold standard to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to test the diagnostic performance. The interrater agreement between the two groups was tested using kappa values. Results: Of all 592 AMs, 447 (75.5%) were benign, 123 (20.8%) were malignant, and 22 (3.7%) were borderline. The intergroup consistency test yielded kappa values of 0.71, 0.92, 0.68, and 0.77 for the O-RADS, RMI4, IOTA LR2, and IOTA SR, respectively. To predict malignant lesions, the areas under the curve of the O-RADS, RMI4, IOTA LR2, and IOTA SR systems were 0.90, 0.89, 0.90, and 0.86 for group I and 0.89, 0.87, 0.88, and 0.84 for group II, respectively. The O-RADS had the highest sensitivity (91.0% in group I and 84.8% in group II). Conclusion The four diagnostic systems could compensate for junior doctors’ inexperience in predicting malignant adnexal lesions. The O-RADS performed best and showed the highest sensitivity.