BACKGROUND:Gradient artificial bone repair scaffolds can mimic unique anatomical features in musculoskeletal tissues,showing great potential for repairing injured musculoskeletal tissues. OBJECTIVE:To review the latest research advances in gradient artificial bone repair scaffolds for tissue engineering in the musculoskeletal system and describe their advantages and fabrication strategies. METHODS:The first author of the article searched the Web of Science and PubMed databases for articles published from 2000 to 2023 with search terms"gradient,bone regeneration,scaffold".Finally,76 papers were analyzed and summarized after the screening. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)As an important means of efficient and high-quality repair of skeletal system tissues,gradient artificial bone repair scaffolds are currently designed bionically for the natural gradient characteristics of bone tissue,bone-cartilage,and tendon-bone tissue.These scaffolds can mimic the extracellular matrix of native tissues to a certain extent in terms of structure and composition,thus promoting cell adhesion,migration,proliferation,differentiation,and regenerative recovery of damaged tissues to their native state.(2)Advanced manufacturing technology provides more possibilities for gradient artificial bone repair scaffold preparation:Gradient electrospun fiber scaffolds constructed by spatially differentiated fiber arrangement and loading of biologically active substances have been developed;gradient 3D printed scaffolds fabricated by layered stacking,graded porosity,and bio-3D printing technology;gradient hydrogel scaffolds fabricated by in-situ layered injections,simple layer-by-layer stacking,and freeze-drying method;and in addition,there are also scaffolds made by other modalities or multi-method coupling.These scaffolds have demonstrated good biocompatibility in vitro experiments,were able to accelerate tissue regeneration in small animal tests,and were observed to have significantly improved histological structure.(3)The currently developed gradient artificial bone repair scaffolds have problems such as mismatch of gradient scales,unclear material-tissue interactions,and side effects caused by degradation products,which need to be further optimized by combining the strengths of related disciplines and clinical needs in the future.

Objective: To explore the relationship between visual acuity and physical fitness of university freshmen, so as to provide reference for myopia prevention and control for freshmen. Methods: From October to November 2022, 2 160 college freshman without majoring in public safety administration, selected from Guangxi Police College in 2022 by using the stratified cluster random sampling method, were reviewed for the results of visual acuity test and physical fitness scores. The physical fitness indices were evaluated by using the Z scores of physical fitness test scores, and the strength of association between the level of physical fitness index and myopia was analyzed by using Logistic regression model. Results: Among 2 160 college freshman without majoring in public safety administration, 917 (42.5%) students were diagnosed screening myopia, including 66 (3.1%) cases of high myopia, 383 (17.7%) cases of moderate myopia and 468 (21.7%) cases of mild myopia. The differences in the distribution of visual acuity tests among students with different physical fitness indices, body mass index, and gender were statistically significant ( Z/H=54.50, 49.53, 15.51, P <0.01). Low level and low middle level physical fitness indices were associated with screening myopia among freshmen[ OR (95% CI )=2.81(1.93-4.08),1.87(1.38-2.54)], and low level physical fitness indexes were associated with high myopia [ OR (95% CI )=7.22(2.33-22.32)] ( P <0.01). Conclusions Screening myopia among college freshman without majoring in public safety administration is related to physical fitness, and low level and low middle level physical fitness index are risk factors for myopia. Improving the level of physical fitness might be effective in preventing myopia.

BACKGROUND: The effect of the interval between previous Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication and rescue treatment on therapeutic outcomes remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between eradication rates and treatment interval durations in H. pylori infections. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted from December 2021 to February 2023 at six tertiary hospitals in Shandong, China. We recruited patients who were positive for H. pylori infection and required rescue treatment. Demographic information, previous times of eradication therapy, last eradication therapy date, and history of antibiotic use data were collected. The patients were divided into four groups based on the rescue treatment interval length: Group A, ≥4 weeks and ≤3 months; Group B, >3 and ≤6 months; Group C, >6 and ≤12 months; and Group D, >12 months. The primary outcome was the eradication rate of H. pylori . Drug compliance and adverse events (AEs) were also assessed. Pearson's χ2 test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare eradication rates between groups. RESULTS: A total of 670 patients were enrolled in this study. The intention-to-treat (ITT) eradication rates were 88.3% (158/179) in Group A, 89.6% (120/134) in Group B, 89.1% (123/138) in Group C, and 87.7% (192/219) in Group D. The per-protocol (PP) eradication rates were 92.9% (156/168) in Group A, 94.5% (120/127) in Group B, 94.5% (121/128) in Group C, and 93.6% (190/203) in Group D. There was no statistically significant difference in the eradication rates between groups in either the ITT ( P = 0.949) or PP analysis ( P = 0.921). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of AEs ( P = 0.934) or drug compliance ( P = 0.849) between groups. CONCLUSION: The interval duration of rescue treatment had no significant effect on H. pylori eradication rates or the incidence of AEs. REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT05173493.
Humans ; Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy* ; Helicobacter pylori/pathogenicity* ; Male ; Female ; Prospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects* ; Adult ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Proton Pump Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

OBJECTIVES: Calcium silicate (CSO) is modified to give it photothermal antibacterial properties. Its application potential in tooth mineralization and oral antibacterial is evaluated. METHODS: Based on defect-engineering modification strategy, a series of CSO-T samples (CSO-300, CSO-400, CSO-500, CSO-600) was obtained by introducing oxygen vacancy into CSO through thermal reduction using sodium borohydride. The samples were tested using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet near-infrared absorption spectroscopy, and infrared thermography. The powder samples with the best photothermal performance and the most suitable material concentration (CSO-500, 500 μg/mL) were selected for subsequent experiments. High resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to analyze the microstructure and morphology of the sample, and MTT assay and Calcein AM/PI live/dead cell staining were used to evaluate the toxicity and compatibility of the sample to human oral keratinocytes. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were selected for photothermal antibacterial experiments to evaluate their in vitro antibacterial performance. SEM, energy dispersive spectrometer, and micro Vickers hardness tester were used to evaluate the ability of materials to induce in vitro remineralization of detached teeth. RESULTS: Oxygen vacancies changed the crystal type and lattice spacing of CaSiO₃, broadened the light-absorption range, and gave it a good photothermal conversion ability in response to near infrared. Invitro experiments showed that the modified CaSiO₃ could promote the formation of hydroxyapatite on the tooth surface, thereby promoting the remineralization of teeth and improving the teeth hardness. Moreover, it had photothermal antibacterial properties and no cytotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS Defect-modified black calcium silicate has multiple functions, such as promoting tooth remineralization and photothermal bacteriostatic. When combined with the infrared luminescent toothbrush, it can simply and effectively treat tooth enamel erosion and oral bacteriostatic diseases caused by the excessive consumption of carbonated beverages and other daily bad living habits. This combination is expected to achieve the synergic treatment effect of tooth remineralization and oral bacteriostatic through daily cleaning is expected.
Calcium Compounds/pharmacology* ; Silicates/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects* ; Tooth Remineralization ; Escherichia coli/drug effects* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Keratinocytes/drug effects* ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning

Objective:To investigate the expression of squamous cell heat shock protein 53(CRNN)in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC),and toevaluate its impact on the biological behavior of ESCC cells Eca9706.Methods:Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of CRNN protein in 93 ESCC tissues and 101 normal esophageal epithelial tissues adjacent to cancer,and the associations of CRNN expression levels with the clinical pathological characteristics and survival prognosis of ESCC patients were analyzed.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive performance of CRNN expression level on ESCC.The Eca9706 cells were divided into control group and CRNN group(overexpression of CRNN).Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay was used to detect the proliferation activities of Eca9706 cells in two groups;Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the numbers of migration cells of Eca9706 cells in two groups;plate clone formation assay was used to assess the numbers of clone formation of Eca9706 cells in two groups;flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rates of Eca9706 cells in two groups.Results:Compared with adjacent normal esophageal epithelial tissue,the expression intensity of CRNN protein in ESCC tissue was significantly decreased(x2=23.476,P＜0.001).The downregulation of CRNN protein expression in ESCC patients was associated with tumor location(x2=5.353,P=0.021)and histological grade(x2=4.434,P=0.035),but not with age(x2=0.102,P=0.750),gender(x2=0.050,P=0.822),tumor stage(x2=0.047,P=0.828)or lymph node metastasis(x2=0.553,P=0.457).Survival analysis showed that ESCC patients in high expression of CRNN protein group had better prognosis than those in low expression of CRNN protein group(P=0.013).Univariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed the associations between overall survival rate in ESCC patients and the expression level of CRNN protein[hazard ratio(HR)=0.198,95％confidence interval(CI):0.047-0.842,P=0.028]and tumor stage(HR=2.479,95％CI:1.247-4.929,P=0.010).Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that the expression level of CRNN protein(HR=0.213,95％CI:0.050-0.895,P=0.035)and tumor stage(HR=2.391,95％CI:1.198-4.772,P=0.013)were independent factors for the prognosis of ESCC.Compared with control group,the proliferation activity of cells in CRNN group was significantly decreased(P=0.004),the number of clone formation was decreased(P=0.002),the number of migration cells was decreased(P=0.002),and the apoptotic rate was significantly increased(P=0.006).Conclusion:Low expression level of CRNN protein suggests poor prognosis for the ESCC patients.Overexpression of CRNN may inhibit the proliferation,migration and invasion abilities of ESCC cells,and promote their apoptosis.

Objective:To discuss the expression of Rh family C glycoprotein(RHCG)in the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)tissue and its effect on the malignant biological behavior of ESCC cells,and to clarify the value of RHCG as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for the ESCC patients.Methods:A total of 143 ESCC tissue samples and 105 adjacent normal tissue samples were collected.Using immunohistochemical staining method,141 ESCC samples were divided into two groups:RHCG low expression group(immunohistochemistry score≤6)and RHCG high expression group(immunohistochemistry score>6).Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the RHCG protein expression in 143 ESCC tissues and 105 normal tissues,and the relationship between the clinicopathological characteristics of the ESCC patients was analyzed.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used to evaluate the value of RHCG in diagnosis and prognosis of the ESCC patients;univariate and multivariate COX regression analysis were used to determine the independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of the ESCC patients.Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis(GEPIA2)database was used to analyze the expression of RHCG mRNA in various tumor tissues.The ESCC TE-1 cells were cultured and transfected in to 6-well cell culture plates with different Lipofectamine2000∶RHCG ratios;the cells in RHCG transfection group were transfected with weights of 2.0,2.5,and 3.0 μg for 24 and 48 h,respectively,and the cells in NC group transfected with empty vector as control.Western blotting method was used to detect the RHCG protein expression level in the TE-1 cells in various groups after transfection at different concentrations and verify the optimal transfection conditions;cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay was used to detect the proliferation activities of the TE-1 cells;plate clone formation assay was used to detect the colony formation numbers of the TE-1 cells;Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the numbers of migrating TE-1 cells.Results:Compared with adjacent normal tissue,the RHCG gene expression level in various cancer tissues including ESCC,glioblastoma multiforme,and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma was significantly decreased(P<0.05).RHCG protein was mainly located on the cell membrane of normal esophageal squamous epithelial cells;the RHCG protein expression intensity in ESCC tissues was lower than that in adjacent normal esophageal tissue(χ2=109.373,P<0.001),and the patients in RHCG low expression group had poorer differentiation than those in RHCG high expression group(P=0.041).The area under the curve(AUC)value of RHCG for diagnosing ESCC was 0.86,with sensitivity and specificity of 95.1%and 75.0%,respectively;the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis results showed that compared with high RHCG expression group,the patients in low RHCG expression group had shorter survival time and poorer prognosis[harard ratio(HR)=0.269,95%confidence interval(CI):0.113-0.639,P=0.020];the COX regression analysis results showed that low RHCG expression could serve as an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of ESCC[HR=4.569,95%CI=1.315-15.877,P=0.017)].The Western blotting results verified that the optimal transfection condition was 3.0 μg RHCG plasmid for 48 h,at which time RHCG overexpression was optimal and RHCG protein expression level was highest.The CCK-8 assay results showed that compared with control group,the proliferation activity in RHCG overexpression group was decreased on the 4th day after cell seeding(P<0.001).In the TE-1 cells,the colony formation number of the TE-1 cells in RHCG over-expression group was lower than that in control group(t=17.70,P<0.001).The Transwell chamber assay results showed that compared with control group,the number of migrating cells in RHCG over-expression group was decreased(t=23.74,P<0.001).Conclusion:RHCG expression is decreased in ESCC tissues and associated with poor prognosis in ESCC patients;overexpression of RHCG can inhibit the proliferation and migration of the TE-1 cells,providing a theoretical basis for RHCG as a novel diagnostic and prognostic marker and therapeutic target for ESCC.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of liraglutide against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI)in rats and its relationship with pyroptosis.Methods Forty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups:the sham operation group(Sham group),the MIRI model group(I/R group),the pyroptosis inhibitor group(Dis+I/R group),the liraglutide group(Lir+I/R group),and li-raglutide+pyroptosis inhibitor group(Lir+Dis+I/R group),with 8 rats in each group.Except for the Sham group,MIRI models were established in all other groups,followed by corresponding treatments.Myocardial infarct size was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining.Superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and malondialdehyde(MDA)level were detected using assay kits.Serum levels of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)and IL-1β were measured by ELISA.Protein expression of apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD(ASC),caspase-1,and cleaved N-ter-minal gasdermin D(GSDMD-N)was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the I/R group,myo-cardial infarct size was reduced in the Lir+I/R and Dis+I/R groups(P＜0.05),with a further reduction in the Lir+Dis+I/R group compared to the Lir+I/R group(P＜0.05).SOD activity increased and MDA levels decreased in the Lir+I/R and Dis+I/R groups compared to the I/R group(P＜0.05),while SOD activity was further elevated in the Lir+Dis+I/R group compared to the Dis+I/R group and Lir+I/R group(P＜0.05).NLRP3 and IL-1β protein expression levels were reduced in the Lir+I/R and Dis+I/R groups compare to the I/R group(P＜0.05),and IL-1β expression level was further reduced in the Lir+Dis+I/R group com-pared to the Dis+I/R group and Lir+I/R group(P＜0.05).The protein expression levels of ASC and GSD-MD-N in the Lir+I/R group were lower than those in the I/R group(P＜0.05);the protein expression levels of ASC,caspase-1 and GSDMD-N in the Dis+I/R group were lower than those in the I/R group(P＜0.05).ASC expression level further reduced in the Lir+Dis+I/R group compared to both the Dis+I/R and Lir+I/R groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion Liraglutide exerts a protective effect in MIRI,potentially by inhibi-ting pyroptosis.

Objective To investigate the cardiac protective effect of Taohong Tongluo granules on coronary microvascular dysfunction(CMD)rats.Methods SD rats were randomly assigned to sham-operated group,CMD group,nicorandil group(5 mg/kg),or Taohong Tongluo granule group(50 mg/kg).Animals were administered corresponding drugs for 7 d according to the grouping,and the CMD model was prepared 2 h after the last administration.The rat CMD model was induced by injecting embolization microspheres(diameter 40-120 μm,approximately 1 000 microspheres)into the left ventricular cavity.Twenty-four hours after modeling,echocardiography was performed to measure the left ventricular ejection fraction(EF),fractional shortening(FS),and end-diastolic volume(EDV).The damaged myocardial area was assessed by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride(TTC)staining.Myocardial morphological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(H-E)staining.The protein expression levels of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing protein 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC),and cysteine aspartic acid specific protease(caspase)-1 in rat myocardial tissue were detected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting.Results Echocardiography showed that the EF and FS values in the Taohong Tongluo granule group,CMD group,and nicorandil group were significantly lower than those in the sham-operated group(all P＜0.001).The EF and FS values in the Taohong Tongluo granule group and nicorandil group were significantly higher than those in the CMD group(all P＜0.01).However,there were no significant differences in EDV among the groups(all P＞0.05).H-E staining showed no abnormalities in the myocardium in the sham-operated group.The CMD group exhibited microsphere embolism in the myocardium,myocardial cell dissolution and rupture,and inflammatory infiltration.The lesions in the nicorandil group and the Taohong Tongluo granule group were relatively milder,and the number of thrombi in both groups was lower than that in the CMD group(both P＜0.01).The results of TTC staining indicated that the areas of damaged myocardial regions in both the nicorandil group and the Taohong Tongluo granule group were smaller than that in the CMD group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Moreover,the area in the Taohong Tongluo granule group was smaller than that in the nicorandil group(P＜0.05).The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that in the CMD model,the expression of ASC and caspase-1 proteins,as well as the number of positive cells for these proteins,was increased and was distributed in myocardial and interstitial cells.The numbers of ASC and caspase-1 positive cells in the Taohong Tongluo granule group were lower than that in the CMD group(both P＜0.01).The Western blotting showed that the expression levels of NLRP3,ASC,and caspase-1 proteins in the Taohong Tongluo granule group were all lower than those in the CMD group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Taohong Tongluo granules can improve cardiac function,ameliorate hemodynamic parameters,and reduce myocardial infarction area in rats with CMD induced by microsphere embolism.The mechanism is related to the inhibition of myocardial inflammasome activation,thereby attenuating the myocardial injuries.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of neuregulin 4(Nrg4)combined withγ-aminobutyric acid(GABA)in cognitive dysfunction among patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS).Methods A total of 169 patients with severe OSAHS were se-lected as study subjects and divided into normal cognitive function group(n=89)and cognitive dys-function group(n=80)based on cognitive function assessment results.General information of the pa-tients was collected,and the levels of Nrg4 and GABA were detected by enzyme-linked immunosor-bent assay(ELISA).Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of Nrg4 and GABA for cognitive dysfunction in OSAHS patients.Results The proportions of patients with a history of hypertension and diabetes,as well as the levels of diastolic blood pressure,total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)were significantly higher in the cognitive dysfunction group than those in the normal cognitive function group(P＜0.05).The levels of Nrg4 and GABA were significantly lower in the cognitive dysfunction group than in the normal cognitive function group(P＜0.05).The Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA)score in the cognitive dys-function group was significantly lower than that in the normal cognitive function group[(12.36±2.35)versus(28.25±1.02),P＜0.05].Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that a history of hypertension and diabetes,diastolic blood pressure,TC,TG,HDL-C,and LDL-C were risk factors for cognitive dysfunction in patients with severe OSAHS(P＜0.05),while Nrg4,GABA,and MoCA scores were protective factors(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that combined de-tection of Nrg4 and GABA had a higher predictive value for cognitive dysfunction in patients with se-vere OSAHS compared with either marker alone(P＜0.05).Conclusion A history of hyperten-sion and diabetes,diastolic blood pressure,TC,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C,Nrg4,GABA,and MoCA scores are all factors influencing cognitive dysfunction in patients with severe OSAHS.Combined de-tection of Nrg4 and GABA can effectively predict cognitive dysfunction in these patients.