OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of periodontitis induced by Prevotella nigrescens (Pn) combined with ligation on cognitive functions in mice. METHODS: Twenty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group, ligation group, and ligation + Pn treatment (P+Pn) group. Experimental periodontitis was induced by silk ligation of the first molars followed by topical application of Pn for 6 weeks. After modeling, alveolar bone resorption was assessed using micro-CT and histological analysis. Learning and memory abilities of the mice were evaluated using open field test (OFT), novel object recognition test (NORT), and Morris water maze test (MWM). Seven weeks after the start of modeling, the mice were sacrificed for examining histopathological changes in the hippocampus using HE and Nissl staining. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of molar ligation, micro-CT revealed horizontal alveolar bone resorption and furcation exposure in the mice, and histological analysis showed apical migration of the junctional epithelium, epithelial ridge hyperplasia, and lymphocyte infiltration, and these changes were obviously worsened in P+Pn group. Alveolar bone height decreased significantly in both ligation groups compared to the control group. Cognitive tests showed that the mice in both of the ligation groups traveled shorter distances in OFT, showed reduced novel object preference in NORT, and exhibited longer escape latencies in MWM, and the mice in P+Pn group had significantly poorer performances in the tests. Histologically, obvious neuronal cytoplasmic degeneration, necrosis, nuclear pyknosis, vacuolation, and reduced Nissl bodies and viable neurons were observed in the hippocampal regions of the mice in the two ligation groups. CONCLUSIONS Pn infection aggravates alveolar bone destruction, accelerates necrosis and causes morphological abnormalities of neuronal cells in the hippocampus to reduce cognitive functions of mice with periodontitis.
Animals ; Periodontitis/microbiology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cognition ; Alveolar Bone Loss ; Hippocampus/pathology* ; Male ; Inflammation ; Maze Learning

Purpose To investigate the sex differences of white matter damage in Alzheimer's disease(AD)and their association with cognitive impairment.Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 88 AD patients(48 females),71 amnestic mild cognitive impairment(aMCI)patients(39 females),and 95 healthy controls(63 females)recruited from the Memory Disorder Clinic at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from September 2017 to July 2024.High-resolution three-dimensional T1 structure images and diffusion tensor imaging images were all obtained from each participant.The mean diffusivity(MD)and fractional anisotropy(FA)values of each white matter region were obtained,and the two-way ANOVA analysis was conducted to investigate brain regions with interaction effects between groups and sexes,those brain regions were then chosen as regions of interest for further correlation analysis with a series of cognitive scale scores.Results In terms of FA values,the right posterior corona radiata,right anterior limb of the internal capsule and left corticospinal tract showed interaction between sexes and cognitive groups(F=4.764,3.812,5.937,all P<0.05).The FA value of AD group was significantly lower than that of healthy control and aMCI group(all P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between healthy control and aMCI group(except the right anterior limb of the internal capsule,P=0.018).In AD group,FA values were significantly higher in women than in men in the previously described brain regions(all P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in FA values between male and female in healthy control and aMCI groups(except the left corticospinal tract,P<0.001).In terms of MD values,the right anterior limb of the internal capsule,right superior corona radiata and left external capsule showed interaction effect between sexes and cognitive groups(F=8.581,3.680,7.218,all P<0.05).The MD value of AD group was significantly higher than that of aMCI group(P<0.001),and aMCI group was higher than that of healthy control group(all P<0.05).In AD group,the MD values in the above brain regions were significantly higher in males than those in females(all P<0.01),while no significant difference was found between males and females in healthy control and aMCI groups(except for the left external capsule,P<0.05).For correlation analysis,the AD group was dimidiated into two groups by sex,the scores of the Montreal cognitive assessment,the Mini Mental state examination and the verbal fluency test of the female patient group were positively correlated with the FA values of the right posterior corona radiate(r=0.372,P=0.009;r=0.345,P=0.016;r=0.383,P=0.007),while the Mini Mental state examination and the verbal fluency test scores of female AD patient group were negatively correlated with the MD values of the right superior corona radiata(r=-0.360,P=0.012;r=-0.360,P=0.003).Conclusion Compared to the healthy control and MCI groups,white matter damage in AD patients shows sex differences and is associated with general cognitive and language functions impairment in female AD patients.

Objective:To explore and analyze the feasibility and efficacy of the 22G needle-guided suture for orbital septum fat flap fixation on the periosteum.Methods:The retrospective study was conducted. From January 2022 to November 2023, patients with tear trough deformity and eyelid bags underwent surgery of releasing the orbicularis retaining ligament (ORL) complex, orbital septum fat pad combined with 22G needle-guided suture in Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, and College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology. Postoperative follow-up was conducted to observe the occurrence of complications. The lacrimal depression deformity was classified according to the Hirmand standard and the degree of lower eyelid bags was graded to evaluate the surgical outcome. Patients were evaluated their satisfaction using the visual analogue scale (very dissatisfied, dissatisfied, average, satisfied, very satisfied).Results:A total of 32 patients (30 females and 2 males) were included in this study. The age range was 31-62 years old with an average of 50.2 years. All patients were followed up for 6 months postoperatively. None of the patients had any severe complications, such as inferior eyelid ectropion, inferior eyelid retraction, scar hyperplasia, and diplopia. Four patients showed mild eyelid-eyeball separation, two patients had conjunctival edema, and all recovered in 1 month. The orbital fat protrusion, tear trough depression deformity, and lower eyelid skin laxity were significantly improved compared to before the operation. Postoperative satisfaction was 22 cases, very satisfied 10 cases, and patient satisfaction rate was 100% (32/32) after surgery.Conclusion:The method of 22G needle-guided suture to fix orbital septum fat pad represents a technically feasible, easy, and suitable for promotion.

[Objective]To explore the mechanism of Dihuang Yinzi Decoction on kidney essence deficiency syndrome of Alzheimer's disease(AD)based on vitamin D axis(VD axis)-Ca2+-Calpain-cyclin-dependent kinase 5(CDK5)signaling pathway.[Methods]Thirty-six SD rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,Dihuang Yinzi Decoction low-dose group(5.36 g/kg),medium-dose group(10.72 g/kg),high-dose group(21.45 g/kg)and donepezil group(0.25 mg/kg).First,model of kidney essence deficiency syndrome was established in rats through intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose.Subsequently,an AD model with kidney essence deficiency syndrome was developed by injecting Aβ25-35 bilaterally into the CA1 region of the hippocampus.Morris water maze experiment was used to observe the behavioral changes of each group of mice.The concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3[25(OH)D3],1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[1,25-(OH)2D3]and Ca2+in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The ultrastructure of neurons in hippocampus was observed by transmission electron microscope.The expression levels of Calpain 1,CDK5,p35,p25,tau,phospho-tau Thr205(pT205)and phospho-tau Ser396(pS396)in hippocampus were detected by Western blot.[Results]Compared with model group,behavioral experiment showed Dihuang Yinzi Decoction can relieve the cognitive impairment and anxiety-like behaviors of AD kidney essence deficiency syndrome model rats(P<0.01).ELISA results showed that after Dihuangyinzi Decoction treatment,the concentrations of 25(OH)D3 and 1,25-(OH)2D3 in the rat serum increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the Ca2+concentration decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Transmission electron microscopy showed that Dihuang Yinzi Decoction improved the structural morphology of hippocampal neurons and alleviated mitochondrial swelling.Western blot showed that Dihuang Yinzi Decoction decreased the protein expressions of Calpain 1,CDK5,p25,tau,pT205 and pS396(P<0.01,P<0.05),and increased the protein expression of p35(P<0.05).[Conclusion]Dihuang Yinzi Decoction can regulate the cognitive ability of rats with AD kidney essence deficiency syndrome by regulating the VD axis-Ca2+-Calpain-CDK5 signaling pathway,and protect hippocampal nerve cells.

To promote the high-quality development of healthcare in the highland areas and to enable traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)to make a more prominent contribution to the healthcare of the people in these areas,it is imperative to clarify the roles of TCM in the formation of the healthcare system in the past and present,as well as the direction of innovative development of TCM in the plateau in the future.To this end,this paper first systematically reviews the literature to summarize the influence of TCM on the cultural background,theoretical framework,and practical system of Tibetan medicine during its origin,development,and maturation;then,through the example of typical cases,it elaborates on the direct practical applications of TCM in the prevention and treatment of a series of highland diseases from the perspectives of pathogenesis,therapeutic principles,unique drugs,and techniques;finally,it deeply reflects on a series of problems restricting the integration,inheritance,and innovative development of TCM in the highland areas and puts forward targeted suggestions to enable TCM to serve and safeguard the health of people living in the plateaus better together with the local ethnic medicine.

Objective To investigate the effects of periodontitis induced by Prevotella nigrescens(Pn)combined with ligation on cognitive functions in mice.Methods Twenty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group,ligation group,and ligation+Pn treatment(P+Pn)group.Experimental periodontitis was induced by silk ligation of the first molars followed by topical application of Pn for 6 weeks.After modeling,alveolar bone resorption was assessed using micro-CT and histological analysis.Learning and memory abilities of the mice were evaluated using open field test(OFT),novel object recognition test(NORT),and Morris water maze test(MWM).Seven weeks after the start of modeling,the mice were sacrificed for examining histopathological changes in the hippocampus using HE and Nissl staining.Results After 6 weeks of molar ligation,micro-CT revealed horizontal alveolar bone resorption and furcation exposure in the mice,and histological analysis showed apical migration of the junctional epithelium,epithelial ridge hyperplasia,and lymphocyte infiltration,and these changes were obviously worsened in P+Pn group.Alveolar bone height decreased significantly in both ligation groups compared to the control group.Cognitive tests showed that the mice in both of the ligation groups traveled shorter distances in OFT,showed reduced novel object preference in NORT,and exhibited longer escape latencies in MWM,and the mice in P+Pn group had significantly poorer performances in the tests.Histologically,obvious neuronal cytoplasmic degeneration,necrosis,nuclear pyknosis,vacuolation,and reduced Nissl bodies and viable neurons were observed in the hippocampal regions of the mice in the two ligation groups.Conclusion Pn infection aggravates alveolar bone destruction,accelerates necrosis and causes morphological abnormalities of neuronal cells in the hippocampus to reduce cognitive functions of mice with periodontitis.

To promote the high-quality development of healthcare in the highland areas and to enable traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)to make a more prominent contribution to the healthcare of the people in these areas,it is imperative to clarify the roles of TCM in the formation of the healthcare system in the past and present,as well as the direction of innovative development of TCM in the plateau in the future.To this end,this paper first systematically reviews the literature to summarize the influence of TCM on the cultural background,theoretical framework,and practical system of Tibetan medicine during its origin,development,and maturation;then,through the example of typical cases,it elaborates on the direct practical applications of TCM in the prevention and treatment of a series of highland diseases from the perspectives of pathogenesis,therapeutic principles,unique drugs,and techniques;finally,it deeply reflects on a series of problems restricting the integration,inheritance,and innovative development of TCM in the highland areas and puts forward targeted suggestions to enable TCM to serve and safeguard the health of people living in the plateaus better together with the local ethnic medicine.

Purpose To investigate the sex differences of white matter damage in Alzheimer's disease(AD)and their association with cognitive impairment.Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 88 AD patients(48 females),71 amnestic mild cognitive impairment(aMCI)patients(39 females),and 95 healthy controls(63 females)recruited from the Memory Disorder Clinic at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from September 2017 to July 2024.High-resolution three-dimensional T1 structure images and diffusion tensor imaging images were all obtained from each participant.The mean diffusivity(MD)and fractional anisotropy(FA)values of each white matter region were obtained,and the two-way ANOVA analysis was conducted to investigate brain regions with interaction effects between groups and sexes,those brain regions were then chosen as regions of interest for further correlation analysis with a series of cognitive scale scores.Results In terms of FA values,the right posterior corona radiata,right anterior limb of the internal capsule and left corticospinal tract showed interaction between sexes and cognitive groups(F=4.764,3.812,5.937,all P<0.05).The FA value of AD group was significantly lower than that of healthy control and aMCI group(all P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between healthy control and aMCI group(except the right anterior limb of the internal capsule,P=0.018).In AD group,FA values were significantly higher in women than in men in the previously described brain regions(all P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in FA values between male and female in healthy control and aMCI groups(except the left corticospinal tract,P<0.001).In terms of MD values,the right anterior limb of the internal capsule,right superior corona radiata and left external capsule showed interaction effect between sexes and cognitive groups(F=8.581,3.680,7.218,all P<0.05).The MD value of AD group was significantly higher than that of aMCI group(P<0.001),and aMCI group was higher than that of healthy control group(all P<0.05).In AD group,the MD values in the above brain regions were significantly higher in males than those in females(all P<0.01),while no significant difference was found between males and females in healthy control and aMCI groups(except for the left external capsule,P<0.05).For correlation analysis,the AD group was dimidiated into two groups by sex,the scores of the Montreal cognitive assessment,the Mini Mental state examination and the verbal fluency test of the female patient group were positively correlated with the FA values of the right posterior corona radiate(r=0.372,P=0.009;r=0.345,P=0.016;r=0.383,P=0.007),while the Mini Mental state examination and the verbal fluency test scores of female AD patient group were negatively correlated with the MD values of the right superior corona radiata(r=-0.360,P=0.012;r=-0.360,P=0.003).Conclusion Compared to the healthy control and MCI groups,white matter damage in AD patients shows sex differences and is associated with general cognitive and language functions impairment in female AD patients.

Objective:To compare the consistency and efficacy of ultrasound and CT in the preoperative diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with thyroid cancer, and to explore the clinical value of the combined application of multimodal imaging.Methods:The 119 thyroid cancer patients underwent surgical treatment from January to September 2023 in Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent ultrasound and CT examinations before operation. The results of postoperative histopathology examination were taken as the gold standard, the efficacy of ultrasound and CT in preoperative diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis was compared.Results:A total of 1 721 cervical lymph nodes were detected in 119 patients with thyroid cancer, among which 1 378 lymph nodes were benign, and 343 lymph nodes were malignant, the rate of malignant lymph nodes was 19.93% (343/1 721). Among them, the proportion of malignant lymph nodes in area Ⅵ was the highest, 22.58% (245/1 085), followed by area Ⅲ, 21.26% (37/174). The sensitivity of CT in diagnosing cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with thyroid cancer was significantly higher than that of ultrasound diagnosis: 58.46% (38/65) vs. 38.46% (25/65), the specificity was significantly lower than that of ultrasound diagnosis: 85.19% (46/54) vs. 96.30% (52/54), and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01 and <0.05); there was no statistical difference in accuracy between CT and ultrasound ( P>0.05). Conclusions:In the preoperative diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with thyroid cancer by ultrasound and CT, ultrasound examination has no radiation risk, while CT examination has a higher diagnostic efficiency.

Objective:To explore and analyze the feasibility and efficacy of the 22G needle-guided suture for orbital septum fat flap fixation on the periosteum.Methods:The retrospective study was conducted. From January 2022 to November 2023, patients with tear trough deformity and eyelid bags underwent surgery of releasing the orbicularis retaining ligament (ORL) complex, orbital septum fat pad combined with 22G needle-guided suture in Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, and College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology. Postoperative follow-up was conducted to observe the occurrence of complications. The lacrimal depression deformity was classified according to the Hirmand standard and the degree of lower eyelid bags was graded to evaluate the surgical outcome. Patients were evaluated their satisfaction using the visual analogue scale (very dissatisfied, dissatisfied, average, satisfied, very satisfied).Results:A total of 32 patients (30 females and 2 males) were included in this study. The age range was 31-62 years old with an average of 50.2 years. All patients were followed up for 6 months postoperatively. None of the patients had any severe complications, such as inferior eyelid ectropion, inferior eyelid retraction, scar hyperplasia, and diplopia. Four patients showed mild eyelid-eyeball separation, two patients had conjunctival edema, and all recovered in 1 month. The orbital fat protrusion, tear trough depression deformity, and lower eyelid skin laxity were significantly improved compared to before the operation. Postoperative satisfaction was 22 cases, very satisfied 10 cases, and patient satisfaction rate was 100% (32/32) after surgery.Conclusion:The method of 22G needle-guided suture to fix orbital septum fat pad represents a technically feasible, easy, and suitable for promotion.