Objective: To understand the prevalence of dental caries and its influencing factors among primary and middle school students in the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (hereinafter referred to as "the Corps"), so as to provide a reference for formulating targeted prevention strategies and promoting oral health of primary and middle school students. Methods: Primary and middle school students in the Corps were selected as survey subjects by a multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling method in September 2023. Basic information and dietary behaviors were collected through questionnaire surveys, and dental caries status was examined by oral health technicians. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of dental caries among primary and middle school students. Results: A total of 80 370 primary and middle school students were investigated, including 40 582 males (50.49%) and 39 788 females (49.51%). There were 37 608 primary school students (46.79%), 34 612 junior high school students (43.07%), and 8 150 senior high school students (10.14%). There were 26 669 students with dental caries, with a prevalence rate of 33.18%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of dental caries was higher among female students (OR=1.170, 95%CI: 1.136-1.206), students in suburban counties (OR=1.212, 95%CI: 1.166-1.258), boarding students (OR=1.306, 95%CI: 1.257-1.357), and those with a frequency of fried food intake ≥1 time per day (OR=1.175, 95%CI: 1.084-1.273). Conversely, the risk of dental caries was lower among middle school students (OR=0.542, 95%CI: 0.524-0.560), high school students (OR=0.661, 95%CI: 0.620-0.705), and those with a frequency of vegetable intake ≥1 time per day (1 time per day, OR=0.900, 95%CI: 0.838-0.967), (≥2 time per day, OR=0.879, 95%CI: 0.819-0.944), and those who sometimes ate breakfast (OR=0.907, 95%CI: 0.874-0.942). Conclusions The prevalence of dental caries among primary and middle school students in the Corps is relatively high, and is influenced by various factors such as gender, school stage, area, boarding status, and dietary behaviors. It is suggested to strengthen oral health knowledge education among students, conduct regular oral health examinations, and improve the overall level of oral health.

Objective To investigate the regulatory role of the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1) signaling on the subtypes and functions of natural killer (NK) cells at the maternal-fetal interface during the second trimester in mice following Toxoplasma gondii infection during the first trimester. Methods Twelve 6- to 8-week-old female mice of the C57BL/6J strain were divided into a control group and an infection group, of 6 mice in each group. On the 6.5th day of pregnancy (Gd6.5), each pregnant mouse in the infection group was intraperitoneally injected with 150 tachyzoites of the Toxoplasma gondii PRU strain, while mice in the control group were injected with an equal volume of physiological saline. On the 12.5th day of pregnancy (Gd12.5), uterus and placenta tissues were sampled from pregnant mice for pathological observations, and the mRNA expression levels of PD-1, PD-L1, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were quantified in uterus and placenta tissues. The PD-1 and DX5 expression was measured on NK cells at the maternal-fetal interface using flow cytometry. In addition, the in vitro JEG-3 trophoblast cells and NK-92MI cells co-culture system was established as the control group, and the addition of T. gondii tachyzoites in the co-culture system served as the infection group. The PD-1, PD-L1, and DX5 mRNA expression was quantified in cells using real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) assay, and the TNF-α concentration was measured in the cell culture supernatant using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results On Gd12.5, clear and intact cellular structures of placental decidual tissues were seen in pregnant mice in the control group, with no remarkable abnormal changes found in the uterine columnar epithelial cells, and inflammatory cell infiltration and blood stasis at varying degrees were found in uterine and placental tissues from pregnant mice in the infection group. The relative PD-1, PD-L1, and TNF-α mRNA expression was (1.004 ± 0.004), (1.001 ± 0.001), and (1.001 ± 0.001) in uterine tissues from pregnant mice in the control group and (2.480 ± 0.720), (3.355 ± 0.920), and (2.391 ± 0.073) in the infection group, respectively. The relative PD-1, PD-L1, and TNF-α mRNA expression was (1.007 ± 0.010), (1.006 ± 0.006), and (1.001 ± 0.001) in the uterine tissues in the control group and (6.948 ± 1.918), (3.225 ± 1.034), and (1.536 ± 0.150) in the infection group, respectively. The relative PD-1, PD-L1, and TNF-α mRNA expression was higher in both the uterine (t = 3.55, 4.43 and 33.02, all P values < 0.05) and placental tissues (t = 5.36, 3.72 and 6.18, all P values < 0.05) in the infection group than in the control group. Flow cytometry showed that the proportions of PD-1⁺ NK cells, PD-1⁺ DX5⁺ NK cells, and DX5⁺ NK cells were (12.200 ± 1.082)%, (9.373 ± 7.728)%, and (44.000 ± 4.095)% in uterine tissues from pregnant mice in the control group, and (21.733 ± 1.630)%, (18.767 ± 1.242)%, and (73.367 ± 0.611)% in the infection group, respectively. The proportions of PD-1⁺ NK cells, PD-1⁺ DX5⁺ NK cells, and DX5⁺ NK cells were (1.100 ± 0.510)%, (2.277 ± 1.337)%, and (96.167 ± 2.831)% in placental tissues from mice in the control group, and (26.867 ± 9.722)%, (23.433 ± 6.983)%, and (82.467 ± 2.248)% in the infection group, respectively. The proportions of PD-1⁺ NK cells (t = 8.45, P < 0.05) and DX5⁺ NK cells (t = 12.29, P < 0.05) were higher in uterine tissues from pregnant mice in the infection group than in the control group, and no significant difference was seen in the proportion of PD-1⁺ DX5⁺ NK cells (Z = -1.09, P > 0.05). The proportions of PD-1⁺ NK cells (t = 4.58, P < 0.05) and PD-1⁺ DX5⁺ NK cells (t = 5.15, P < 0.05) were higher in placental tissues from pregnant mice in the infection group than in the control group, while the proportion of DX5⁺ NK cells was lower in the infection group than in the control group (t = -6.56, P < 0.05). RT-qPCR assay revealed that the relative PD-1, PD-L1, and DX5 mRNA expression was (1.010 ± 0.005), (1.002 ± 0.003), and (1.001 ± 0.001) in the JEG-3 cells and NK92MI cells co-culture system and (3.638 ± 1.258), (0.397 ± 0.158), and (4.267 ± 1.750) in the control group, and ELISA measured that the TNF-α concentration was higher in the cell culture supernatant in the infection group [(22.056 ± 3.205) pg/mL] than in the control group [(12.441 ± 0.001) pg/mL] (t = 5.20, P < 0.05). The PD-1(t = 3.62, P < 0.05) and DX5 mRNA expression (t = 3.23, P < 0.05) was higher in the infection group than in the control group, and the PD-L1 mRNA expression was lower in the infection group than in the control group (t = -6.63, P < 0.05). Conclusions Following T. gondii infection, both PD-L1 expression and PD-1 expression on DX5⁺ NK cells at the maternal-fetal interface are upregulated in mice during the second trimester; however, the proportion of DX5⁺ NK cells decreases. These findings suggest that PD-1/PD-L1 signaling may suppress NK cell functions by modulating DX5⁺ NK cell subsets.

Alzheimer′s disease is a serious neurodegenerative disorder. Approximately 80% to 90% of patients are accompanied by behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), which manifest as a series of behavioral, psychological and mental abnormalities. These abnormalities can accelerate the cognitive deterioration and premature death of patients, and thus are regarded as important clinical symptoms. However, the pathogenesis of BPSD is still unknown, and treatment methods are limited. The pathogenesis of BPSD from the perspective of neuroimaging and pathophysiology, and possible treatment measures were analyzed in this article, in order to provide references for the early diagnosis and treatment of BPSD.

The cellular and molecular components of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and their information exchange processes significantly influence the trends of anti-tumor immunity. In recent years, numerous studies have begun to evaluate TIME in the context of previous cancer treatment strategies. This review will systematically summarize the compositional characteristics of TIME and, based on this foundation, explore the impact of current cancer therapies on the remodeling of TIME, aiming to provide new insights for the development of innovative immune combination therapies that can convert TIME into an anti-tumor profile.
Tumor Microenvironment/immunology* ; Humans ; Neoplasms/therapy* ; Immunotherapy/methods* ; Animals

Background/Aims: Early detection and effective prognosis prediction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) provide an avenue for survival improvement, yet more effective approaches are greatly needed. We sought to develop the detection and prognosis models with ultra-sensitivity and low cost based on fragmentomic features of circulating cell free mtDNA (ccf-mtDNA). Methods: Capture-based mtDNA sequencing was carried out in plasma cell-free DNA samples from 1168 participants, including 571 patients with HCC, 301 patients with chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis (CHB/LC) and 296 healthy controls (HC). Results: The systematic analysis revealed significantly aberrant fragmentomic features of ccf-mtDNA in HCC group when compared with CHB/LC and HC groups. Moreover, we constructed a random forest algorithm-based HCC detection model by utilizing ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features. Both internal and two external validation cohorts demonstrated the excellent capacity of our model in distinguishing early HCC patients from HC and highrisk population with CHB/LC, with AUC exceeding 0.983 and 0.981, sensitivity over 89.6% and 89.61%, and specificity over 98.20% and 95.00%, respectively, greatly surpassing the performance of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and mtDNA copy number. We also developed an HCC prognosis prediction model by LASSO-Cox regression to select 20 fragmentomic features, which exhibited exceptional ability in predicting 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival (AUC=0.8333, 0.8145 and 0.7958 for validation cohort, respectively). Conclusions We have developed and validated a high-performing and low-cost approach in a large clinical cohort based on aberrant ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features with promising clinical translational application for the early detection and prognosis prediction of HCC patients.

Background/Aims: Early detection and effective prognosis prediction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) provide an avenue for survival improvement, yet more effective approaches are greatly needed. We sought to develop the detection and prognosis models with ultra-sensitivity and low cost based on fragmentomic features of circulating cell free mtDNA (ccf-mtDNA). Methods: Capture-based mtDNA sequencing was carried out in plasma cell-free DNA samples from 1168 participants, including 571 patients with HCC, 301 patients with chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis (CHB/LC) and 296 healthy controls (HC). Results: The systematic analysis revealed significantly aberrant fragmentomic features of ccf-mtDNA in HCC group when compared with CHB/LC and HC groups. Moreover, we constructed a random forest algorithm-based HCC detection model by utilizing ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features. Both internal and two external validation cohorts demonstrated the excellent capacity of our model in distinguishing early HCC patients from HC and highrisk population with CHB/LC, with AUC exceeding 0.983 and 0.981, sensitivity over 89.6% and 89.61%, and specificity over 98.20% and 95.00%, respectively, greatly surpassing the performance of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and mtDNA copy number. We also developed an HCC prognosis prediction model by LASSO-Cox regression to select 20 fragmentomic features, which exhibited exceptional ability in predicting 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival (AUC=0.8333, 0.8145 and 0.7958 for validation cohort, respectively). Conclusions We have developed and validated a high-performing and low-cost approach in a large clinical cohort based on aberrant ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features with promising clinical translational application for the early detection and prognosis prediction of HCC patients.

Background/Aims: Early detection and effective prognosis prediction in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) provide an avenue for survival improvement, yet more effective approaches are greatly needed. We sought to develop the detection and prognosis models with ultra-sensitivity and low cost based on fragmentomic features of circulating cell free mtDNA (ccf-mtDNA). Methods: Capture-based mtDNA sequencing was carried out in plasma cell-free DNA samples from 1168 participants, including 571 patients with HCC, 301 patients with chronic hepatitis B or liver cirrhosis (CHB/LC) and 296 healthy controls (HC). Results: The systematic analysis revealed significantly aberrant fragmentomic features of ccf-mtDNA in HCC group when compared with CHB/LC and HC groups. Moreover, we constructed a random forest algorithm-based HCC detection model by utilizing ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features. Both internal and two external validation cohorts demonstrated the excellent capacity of our model in distinguishing early HCC patients from HC and highrisk population with CHB/LC, with AUC exceeding 0.983 and 0.981, sensitivity over 89.6% and 89.61%, and specificity over 98.20% and 95.00%, respectively, greatly surpassing the performance of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and mtDNA copy number. We also developed an HCC prognosis prediction model by LASSO-Cox regression to select 20 fragmentomic features, which exhibited exceptional ability in predicting 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival (AUC=0.8333, 0.8145 and 0.7958 for validation cohort, respectively). Conclusions We have developed and validated a high-performing and low-cost approach in a large clinical cohort based on aberrant ccf-mtDNA fragmentomic features with promising clinical translational application for the early detection and prognosis prediction of HCC patients.

Objective:To observe any therapeutic effect of repeated high-frequency transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on patients with medication overuse headache (MOH).Methods:Fifty-seven persons with MOH were divided at random into a control group of 29 cases and an rTMS group of 28 cases. Both groups of patients stopped taking analgesics and were treated with topiramate and trazodone. The rTMS group received an additional 20 minutes of rTMS treatment daily, 5 days a week for 8 consecutive weeks. The control group received sham stimulation. Before and after the treatment, both groups′ headache symptoms, disability, depression, anxiety, cognition and sleep quality were evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, a migraine disability assessment scale (MIDAS), the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), the Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), the Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Auditory event-related potential P300 was also measured for both groups.Results:After the treatment, the average VAS, MIDAS, HAMD, HAMA and PSQI scores of both groups had decreased significantly. The HAMD, HAMA and PSQI average scores of the rTMS group were then significantly better than the control group′s averages. The average MoCA score of the rTMS group had also improved significantly. The average latency of the auditory event-related potential P300 in the rTMS group was then (368.25±9.25)ms and its amplitude was (6.62±1.40)μV, showing significant improvement compared to before the treatment and compared with the control group.Conclusions:On the basis of oral administration of topiramate and trazodone, additional high-frequency rTMS treatment can significantly alleviate anxiety and depression in MOH patients, and improve their sleep quality and the latency and amplitude of event-related potential P300.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA)-assisted design and harvest of expanded flaps for scar reconstruction.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From April 2019 to August 2023, 19 patients with scars (8 males, 11 females; aged 3-38 years) treated at the Plastic Surgery Hospital of Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences met the inclusion criteria. The scars were distributed on the head, face, trunk, and extremities. In stage Ⅰ surgery, skin soft tissue expanders were implanted in suitable areas around the scars for skin soft tissue expansion. In stage Ⅱ surgery, the scar tissue was excised, resulting in wound areas ranging from 100 to 210 cm 2, and expanded flaps were designed. ICGA was used to identify target perforators and their accompanying veins, and the flap design was adjusted to ensure the inclusion of complete arterial and venous axes. The expanded flap with an area of 120 to 240 cm2 was harvested using unilateral back-cut technique and transferred to the recipient site, and the donor site wound was sutured directly. The durations of the arterial and venous phases of ICGA during flap design were recorded. The length-to-width ratios of the back-cut flaps were calculated for different regions. After stage Ⅱ surgery, the blood perfusion and survival of the flap, the wound healing at the donor site, and the occurrence of complications were observed. During follow-up, the appearance, color, and texture of the patient's flap were observed. Results:The arterial phase of ICGA lasted 10-27 (18±5) s, and the venous phase lasted 78-116 (100±10) s. The length-to-width ratios of the back-cut flaps were 1.22±0.32, 1.63±0.12, and 1.15±0.21 for the head and neck, trunk, and limb regions, respectively. After stage Ⅱ surgery, one patient had a large area of insufficient blood perfusion in the flap. By comparing ICGA images before and after flap transfer, the sutures at the oral commissure were loosened, the blood flow of the flap was restored. The blood perfusion of the flaps in other patients was good. All flaps survived completely, with well-healed donor site wounds and no complications. During 0.5-14.0 months of follow-up, all flaps of patients demonstrated excellent appearance, with color and texture matching the surrounding skin.Conclusions:As a means of superficial blood flow visualization, ICGA can not only clearly show the microvascular distribution of the expanded flap before operation, assist in optimizing the design of the flap, but also evaluate the blood perfusion of the flap after operation, reduce the occurrence of complications, and provide a full-process navigation for the harvesting of expanded flaps, thereby improving the safety of flap transfer for scar reconstruction.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between serum uric acid-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (UHR) and risk of all-cause death or cardiovascular disease (CVD) death among urban and rural elderly in Beijing.Methods:Based on the Beijing Healthy Aging Cohort Study, 9 022 participants with complete baseline data were enrolled, and their survival and death outcomes were followed up. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression model were used to analyze the associations between the UHR level and the risks of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality.Results:As of March 31, 2021, the median follow-up time M( Q1, Q3) was 6.18 (5.36, 6.75) years. There were 1 166 all-deaths, with a death density of 19.26 per 1 000 person-years, and 562 CVD deaths, with a death density of 9.28 per 1 000 person-years. After adjusting sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle factors, multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression model showed that the risk of all-cause mortality increased by 3% ( HR=1.03, 95% CI: 1.02-1.04) and the risk of CVD mortality increased by 4% ( HR=1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06) for every 1% increase in UHR. Compared with the T1 group of UHR tertiles, the T3 group had a 42% increase in the risk of all-cause death ( HR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.22-1.66) and a 53% increase in the risk of CVD death ( HR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.21-1.94). Conclusions:The UHR level is significantly associated with the risks of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality among urban and rural older adults in Beijing. The UHR level may be one of the potential predictors of death risk in community-dwelling older adults.