Microbial infections are a prevalent challenge in the prevention and treatment of oral diseases. Antibiotic therapy faces clinical limitations due to its single-target mechanism and tendency to induce resistance with repeated use, necessitating novel antibacterial strategies. Stimuli-responsive antibacterial materials, whose antimicrobial activity can be modulated by external stimuli, offer advantages such as remote controllability, potential for localized precision treatment, and a reduced risk of inducing resistance. Among these materials, mechanical force-triggered piezoelectric materials exhibit significant antibacterial activity in the biomedical field owing to their unique piezoelectric effect, excellent stability, and good biocompatibility. Research has shown that piezoelectric materials can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy in response to external forces, which enables antibacterial effects without requiring an external power source. The underlying mechanisms primarily include direct electric field effects, generation of reactive oxygen species, and immune modulation. Preliminary applications in treating oral infections (e.g., dental caries, periodontitis, and peri-implantitis) have confirmed their stability and biocompatibility, establishing a foundation for clinical translation. However, long-term efficacy and biosafety in the complex oral microenvironment require further validation. Future research should focus on optimizing material preparation protocols to enhance antibacterial efficacy and stability, further investigating the underlying antimicrobial mechanisms, and systematically evaluating their therapeutic outcomes and safety profiles across various types of oral infections. This review summarizes the antibacterial effects, mechanisms, stability, safety, and research progress of piezoelectric materials in the stomatologic field, aiming to provide new insights for further research and application in this area.

AIM: To investigate the changes of retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness, retinal thickness and blood flow density in different stages of diabetic retinopathy(DR)patients based on optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA).METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 382 patients(382 eyes)diagnosed with DR in our hospital from February 2023 to February 2024. According to the staging criteria, the patients were divided into mild group(n=121), moderate group(n=133), severe group(n=72), and proliferative group(n=56). The general clinical data of the four groups of patients was compared; OCTA was used to scan and collect data from all patients, and the RNFL thickness, retinal thickness, and blood flow density were compared among the four groups of patients.RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in age, gender, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and random blood glucose among patients in the mild, moderate, severe, and proliferative groups(all P>0.05). As the stage of DR worsened, the duration of the disease gradually prolonged(P<0.05). The thickness of the RNFL(superior, inferior, temporal, nasal, and average thickness)and retinal thickness significantly increased with the severity of DR(all P<0.001); however, there was no statistically significant difference in inferior RNFL thickness between the moderate and mild groups(P>0.05). The blood flow density in the superficial and deep retinal layers, as well as in the choroidal capillary layer, significantly decreased with the progression of DR(all P<0.05). Nevertheless, there was no statistically significant difference in superficial retinal blood flow density between the moderate and severe groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: OCTA can accurately observe the changes in RNFL thickness, retinal thickness, and blood flow density in patients with DR at different stages, which can serve as sensitive indicators for monitoring DR progression.

OBJECTIVES: We propose a novel deep learning segmentation algorithm (DSRF) based on multi-scale supervision and residual feedback strategy for precise segmentation of the optic chiasm and optic nerves in CT images of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. METHODS: We collected 212 NPC CT images and their ground truth labels from SegRap2023, StructSeg2019 and HaN-Seg2023 datasets. Based on a hybrid pooling strategy, we designed a decoder (HPS) to reduce small organ feature loss during pooling in convolutional neural networks. This decoder uses adaptive and average pooling to refine high-level semantic features, which are integrated with primary semantic features to enable network learning of finer feature details. We employed multi-scale deep supervision layers to learn rich multi-scale and multi-level semantic features under deep supervision, thereby enhancing boundary identification of the optic chiasm and optic nerves. A residual feedback module that enables multiple iterations of the network was designed for contrast enhancement of the optic chiasm and optic nerves in CT images by utilizing information from fuzzy boundaries and easily confused regions to iteratively refine segmentation results under supervision. The entire segmentation framework was optimized with the loss from each iteration to enhance segmentation accuracy and boundary clarity. Ablation experiments and comparative experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of each component and the performance of the proposed model. RESULTS: The DSRF algorithm could effectively enhance feature representation of small organs to achieve accurate segmentation of the optic chiasm and optic nerves with an average DSC of 0.837 and an ASSD of 0.351. Ablation experiments further verified the contributions of each component in the DSRF method. CONCLUSIONS The proposed deep learning segmentation algorithm can effectively enhance feature representation to achieve accurate segmentation of the optic chiasm and optic nerves in CT images of NPC.
Humans ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods* ; Optic Chiasm/diagnostic imaging* ; Optic Nerve/diagnostic imaging* ; Algorithms ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ; Deep Learning ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Neural Networks, Computer ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*

Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of RNA-Specific adenosine deaminase 3 (Adar3) in regulating macrophage polarization during Coxsackievirus B3(CVB3)-induced viral myocarditis (VM). Methods Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) from mice were cultured in vitro and induced into M1/M2 macrophages using interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or interleukin 4 (IL-4), respectively. The mRNA expression levels of Adar1, Adar2, and Adar3 in each group of cells were assessed by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Specific siRNAs targeting the Adar3 gene were designed, synthesized, and transiently transfected into M2 macrophages. The mRNA levels of M2 polarization-related marker genes-including arginase 1 (Arg1), chitinase 3-like molecule 3 (YM1/Chi3l3), and resistin-like molecule alpha (RELMα/FIZZ1)-were detected by qRT-PCR. RNA sequencing was performed to analyze the signaling pathways affected by Adar3. The expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were further validated using qRT-PCR and Western blot. The adeno-associated virus overexpressing Adar3 was designed, synthesized, and injected into mice via tail vein. Three weeks later, a myocarditis mouse model was established. After an additional week, the phenotype and function of cardiac macrophages, as well as multiple indicators of VM (including echocardiography, body weight, histopathology and serology) were examined. Additionally, the protein levels of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were assessed. Results Compared to M0-type macrophages, the expression level of Adar3 was significantly increased in M2-type macrophages. After transfection of Adar3 siRNA, the mRNA levels of Arg1, YM1 and FIZZ1 in M2 macrophages were downregulated. RNA sequencing revealed 149 upregulated genes and 349 downregulated genes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis and subsequent validation experiments indicated that Adar3 modulated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In vivo experiments demonstrated that Adar3 overexpression alleviated the cardiac dysfunction of VM mice. The proportion of M1 macrophages in the heart decreased, while the proportion of M2 macrophages increased. At the same time, the Adar3 overexpression activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Conclusion Adar3 promotes macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby alleviating VM.
Animals ; Adenosine Deaminase/metabolism* ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Wnt Signaling Pathway/genetics* ; Myocarditis/immunology* ; Mice ; Coxsackievirus Infections/metabolism* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Enterovirus B, Human/physiology* ; beta Catenin/genetics*

The underlying cause of low response rates to existing immunotherapies is that tumor cells dominate tumor immune escape through surface antigen deficiency and inducing tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment (TIME). Here, we proposed an in situ tumor cell engineering strategy to disrupt tumor immune escape at the root by restoring tumor cell MHC-I/tumor-specific antigen complex (MHC-I/TSA) expression to promote T-cell recognition and by silencing tumor cell CD55 to increase the ICOSL⁺ B-cell proportion and reverse the TIME. A doxorubicin (DOX) and dual-gene plasmid (MAC pDNA, encoding both MHC-I/ASMTNMELM and CD55-shRNA) coloaded drug delivery system (LCPN@ACD) with tumor targeting and charge/size dual-conversion properties was prepared. LCPN@ACD-induced ICD promoted DC maturation and enhanced T-cell activation and infiltration. LCPN@ACD enabled effective expression of MHC-I/TSA on tumor cells, increasing the ability of tumor cell recognition and killing. LCPN@ACD downregulated tumor cell CD55 expression, increased the proportion of ICOSL⁺ B cells and CTLs, and reversed the TIME, thus greatly improving the efficacy of αPD-1 and CAR-T therapies. The application of this in situ tumor cell engineering strategy eliminated the source of tumor immune escape, providing new ideas for solving the challenges of clinical immunotherapy.

Objectives:To explore the safety and early effectiveness of decompression under full-endoscope and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of single-level thoracolumbar burst fractures.Methods:The clinical data of 9 patients with single-segment thoracolumbar burst fracture treated with spinal canal decompression under full-endoscope and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation from April 2021 to June 2022 in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively,including 7 males and 2 females.The age ranged from 23 to 61(39.3±9.1)years old.According to AO classification,there were 6 cases of type A,2 cases of type B and 1 case of type C.Fracture segments were T12 in 2 cases,L1 in 3 cases,L2 in 3 cases,and L3 in 1 case.According to the classification of American Spinal Injury Association(ASIA)grading,there were 2 cases of type C,2 cases of type D,and 5 cases of type E.The decompression and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation were operated through the same incision in the injured vertebrae for screw placing.The operation-related indexes and complications were recorded.The patients'low back pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale(VAS)score before operation,on 3rd day after operation and at the last follow-up.The sagittal Cobb angle,height ratio of vertebral anterior edge,and the rate of spinal canal occupation were measured on spinal X-ray and CT images,and the recovery of neurological function was evaluated at the last follow-up.Results:All 9 patients successfully completed the operation,and the operative time was 105-145min(1 12.4± 21.2min),bleeding volume was 50-110mL(83.9±19.6mL),and hospitalization time was 7-13d(9.1±1.3d).No serious complications such as wound infection,cerebrospinal fluid leakage,aggravated nerve injury occurred.The follow-up time was 6-13months(8.4±3.9 months),all the fractures healed successfully,and the healing time was 3-6 months(4.7±1.6 months).The VAS score of low back pain on the 3rd day after operation and at final follow-up significantly improved compared with that before operation(P＜0.05),and it was also significantly improved at the last follow-up compared with that on the 3rd day after operation(P＜0.05).The Cobb angle,anterior height ratio of injured vertebrae,and invasion rate of spinal canal were significantly improved compared with those before operation(P＜0.05),respectively,but there was no statistical difference between the last follow-up and postoperative 3d(P＞0.05).One patient recovered from grade C to grade D of ASIA classification,while another three patients with neurological injury recovered completely.Conclusions:Decompression under full-endoscope and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation through the same incision in the injured vertebrae for screw placement in the treatment of single-level thoracolumbar burst fractures can obtain effective nerve root and spinal canal decompression,with good correction and small operative trauma,which is a safe and effective option.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Bushen Huoxue prescription on the cardiac function， inflammation， and quality of life of the patients with chronic heart failure resistant to diuretics. MethodA total of 78 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into observation and control groups （39 cases）. Both groups received standardized treatment for diuretic resistance in accordance with the guidelines. In addition， the observation group received Bushen Huoxue prescription. The cardiac function indicators， total response rate regarding symptom alleviation， exercise endurance， urine volume， body mass， quality of life， and levels of inflammatory cytokines were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. ResultBefore treatment， the two groups of patients showed no significant differences in terms of 24 h urine volume， body mass， 6 minute walk test （6MWT）， Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire （MLHFQ） score， N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） level， left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF）， stroke volume （SV）， and serum levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， and tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）. After treatment， the observation group outperformed the control group in terms of the response rates regarding traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores and New York Heart Association （NYHA） grading of cardiac function （P<0.05）. After treatment， the body mass， MLHFQ score， and IL-6， TNF-α， and NT-proBNP levels decreased in both groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the observation group showed more significant decreases than the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Both groups showed increases in 24-h urine volume， 6MWT， LVEF， SV， and IL-4 after treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the observation group showed more significant increases than the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe combination of Bushen Huoxue prescription with standardized treatment is effective in ameliorating the clinical symptoms of the patients with chronic heart failure resistant to diuretics. Moreover， it alleviates diuretic resistance and improves the cardiac function without causing obvious adverse reactions.

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical efficacy of Huangjin Shuangshen Jiawei （HJSSJW） granules in treating postoperative anxiety and depression after percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） for coronary heart disease and the effects of this medicine on inflammatory cytokines. MethodNinety-four patients diagnosed with anxiety and depression after PCI were randomized into observation and control groups （47 cases） by the double-blind method. On the basis of conventional Western medical treatment， the observation group was treated with HJSSJW granules for 12 weeks， and the control group with the simulant of HJSSJW granules for 12 weeks. The two groups were compared in terms of Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Scales （HAMA-14， HAMD-24）， Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Inventory （PSQI）， Seattle Angina Score （SAQ）， TCM symptom scores， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） symptom score and response rate， serum levels of hypersensitive-C reactive protein （hs-CPR）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， and interleukin （IL-6）， and incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events （MACEs） and adverse reactions. ResultAfter treatment， both groups showed declined scores of HAMA-14， HAMD-24， and PSQI （P<0.05， P<0.01） and the observation group had lower scores of HAMA-14， HAMD-24， and PSQI than the control group （P<0.01）. The scores of SAQ in both groups increased after treatment （P<0.01）， and the observation group had higher score of each dimension than the control group （P<0.05）. The TCM symptom scores decreased in both groups after treatment （P<0.01）， and they were lower in the observation group than in the control group （P<0.05）. The total response rate regarding TCM symptoms in the observation group was higher than that in the control group （χ²=9.225， P<0.01）. After treatment， the levels of hs-CPR， IL-6， and TNF-α became lowered in both groups （P<0.01）， and the observation group had lower levels of hs-CPR， IL-6， and TNF-α than the control group （P<0.05）. The incidence of MACEs in the observation group was lower than that in the control group during the 90 d of the follow-up period （χ²=4.242， P<0.05）. No adverse reactions associated with the use of HJSSJW granules were observed during the trial period. ConclusionHJSSJW granules can alleviate the bad mood， improve sleep， mitigate somatic symptoms， improve the quality of life， reduce inflammatory damage， and improve prognosis， being safe for clinical use in patients with postoperative anxiety and depression after PCI for coronary heart disease.

AIM: To analyze the distribution frequency of gene polymorphisms of β receptor blockers, angiotensin receptor antagonists, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, calcium antagonists, and diuretics in hypertensive patients from southern Anhui province, and provide a theoretical basis for gene detection of hypertension drugs and personalized medication. METHODS: Drug gene testing information from 839 hospitalized patients with hypertension at Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College from July 2021 to April 2023 were collected, and the distribution frequency of each gene locus were analyzed. RESULTS: The genotype frequencies of ACE (I/D) I/I, I/D, and D/D were 42.1%, 46.0%, and 11.9%, respectively. the genotype frequencies of ADRB1 (1165G>C) G/G, G/C, and C/C were 8.3%, 40.0%, and 51.6%, respectively. The genotype frequencies of AGTR1 (1166A>C) A/A, A/C, and C/C were 90.2%, 9.8%, and 0.0%. The genotype frequencies of CYP2C9*3 (1075A>C) *1/*1, *1/*3, and *3/*3 were 91.3%, 8.7%, and 0.0%, respectively; the genotype frequencies of CYP2D6* 10 (100C > T) *1/*1, *1/*10, and *10/*10 were 25.0%, 36.6%, and 38.4%, respectively. The genotype frequencies of CYP3A5*3 (6986A>G) *1/*1, *1/*3, and *3/*3 were 7.0%, 39.0%, and 54.0%, respectively. The frequencies of NPPA (2238T>C) T/T, T / C, and C / C genotypes were 97.9%, 2.1%, and 0.0%, respectively. In addition, there was a significant difference in the genotype distribution frequency of multiple drug related gene loci in southern Anhui compared to other regions in China (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The genotype distribution frequency of hypertensive drug related gene loci had certain bias in southern Anhui, and were significant different from other regions in China, indicating that conducting genetic polymorphism testing of hypertensive drugs had certain guiding significance for the individualized application of hypertensive drugs in southern Anhui.

Objective:To investigate the association between plasma anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH) levels and ischemic stroke.Methods:In this case-control study, 93 ischemic stroke patients were randomly selected as the case group from a study on the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome, which was conducted in 2018-2019 in Changshu, Jiangsu Province, while 372 nonischemic stroke patients were selected as the control group according to the principle of 1∶4 matching.An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure plasma AMH levels.The conditional logistic regression model and restricted cubic spline were used to analyze the relationship between AMH levels and ischemic stroke.Results:A total of 465 subjects with an average age of (68.7±7.4)years were included in this study, of whom 215(46.2%)were men and 250(53.8%)were women.According to our conditional Logistic regression analysis, the risk of ischemic stroke was reduced by 44% for every unit increase in the log-AMH level( OR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.37-0.85)in the overall population after multivariate adjustment.Compared with the tertile with the lowest AMH level, the risk of ischemic stroke in the tertile with the highest AMH level decreased significantly( OR=0.37, 95% CI: 0.19-0.69). When subgrouped by sex, the tertiles with the highest AMH levels were associated with a 66% lower risk of ischemic stroke in men( OR=0.34, 95% CI: 0.13-0.88)and a 64% lower risk of ischemic stroke in women( OR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.15-0.87), compared with the tertiles with the lowest AMH levels.The results of restricted cubic spline analysis showed that there was a linear dose-response relationship between plasma AMH levels and ischemic stroke both in the general population and in male or female population( Pvalues for linear trends were 0.0002, 0.008 and 0.007, respectively). Conclusions:Higher plasma AMH levels decrease the risk of ischemic stroke with a dose-response pattern.