Achieving precise restoration of tooth function and personalized restoration of natural tooth esthetics has always been a significant challenge in direct restorative dentistry. The traditional direct restorative techniques are limited by the subjective operations of dentists, resulting in high technical sensitivity, long operation time, and unpredictable restoration results, making it difficult to meet patients' personalized demands for restoration outcomes. An innovative flowable resin injection technique was introduced in this study. By combining digital design with personalized restoration guides, this technique achieves precise and personalized tooth restoration, thus revolutionizing the traditio-nal paradigm of direct tooth restoration. Specifically, this technique is guided by the patient's subjective aesthetic needs. It utilizes digital technology to pre-design the restoration result and creates a personalized restoration guide. During clinical operation, the dentist needs to only precisely inject the flowable resin into the guide, allowing for rapid completion of the restoration, thereby significantly reducing the operation time and improving the precision and predictability of the restoration. The perfect combination of digital design and flowable resin injection not only significantly improves the precision and predictability of direct tooth restoration but also remarkably shortens the clinical operation time and reduces the requirements for the dentist's technical level, making it widely applicable to the restoration of various tooth defects. Thus, it improves patient satisfaction and reduces the workload of dentists. This innovative restoration technique is expected to become a new productive force in future clinical direct adhesive restorations.
Humans ; Dental Restoration, Permanent/methods* ; Esthetics, Dental ; Composite Resins ; Computer-Aided Design ; Injections

Objective To explore the expression and significance of receptor activator of nuclear factor-KB(RANK)gene in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.Methods 33T3-L1 preadipocytes were selected to induce differentiation into adipocytes,and the RANK gene levels in adipocytes were measured using real time fluorescence quantita-tive polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).RANK knockout or overexpression 3T3-L1 cells were constructed,and were divided into 3T3-L1WT cells,3T3-L1RANK-KO cells,and 3T3-L1RANK-high cells.the changes in glucose consump-tion of adipocytes before and after RANK gene knockout were analyzed,and the expression of indicators relat-ed to fat browning,such as uncoupling protein 1(UCP1),CPT1B,and PPAR-γ,was analyzed.A high-fat diet rat model was established and the rats were divide it into a high-fat group and a high-fat exercise group.The relative expression levels of RANK and UCP1 proteins in brown adipose tissue were detected.Results Com-pared with 3T3-L1 preadipocytes,the relative expression levels of RANK and PPAR-γ genes increased in 3T3-L1 adipocytes(P＜0.05),and And the relative expression level of UCP1 gene decreased(P＜0.05).Com-pared with 3T3-L1WT cells,3T3-L1RANK-KO cells showed decreased glucose consumption,CPTIB,PPAR-γ,and UCP1 gene relative expression levels,and increased protein relative expression levels(P＜0.05),while 3T3-L1RANK-high cells showed decreased glucose consumption and UCP1 gene relative expression levels(P＜0.05).Compared with the high-fat group,the relative expression level of UCP1 protein in brown adipose tissue of high-fat exercise group rats increased(P＜0.05),while the relative expression level of RANK protein de-creased(P＜0.05).Conclusion RANK expression is upregulated in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and is involved in o-besity regulation.It mainly activates the NF-κB signaling pathway,inhibits UCP1,and causes white adipose tissue accumulation,thereby inducing the occurrence and development of obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetic characteristics and clinical utility of Optical genome mapping (OGM) in resolving complex genomic rearrangements in families with recurrent pregnancy loss. METHODS: A recurrent miscarriage family which presented at both the People's Hospital of Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and the Affiliated Women and Children's Hospital of Ningbo University in September 2024 was selected as the study subject. Relevant clinical information was collected. Peripheral blood samples of the couple were collected for G banding karyotyping analysis, and copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) and OGM were used for verification. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Women and Children's Hospital of Ningbo University (Ethics No.: EC2024-148). RESULTS: CNV-seq in an external hospital detected a 10.67 Mb deletion in the 16q12.1q21 region, a 142.4 kb deletion in the 5p15.2 region, and a 359.55 kb duplication in the 7p22.2 region. No abnormality was found in the chromosomal karyotype of the male partner, and the initial karyotyping of the female partner suggested 46,XX,?del(16)(q12.1q22). The CNV-seq verification of her indicated only variations in the 5p15.2 and 7p22.2 fragments, and no deletion of 16q was detected. As indicated by precise OGM analysis, multiple intrachromosomal and interchromosomal translocation variations had occurred between chromosomes 10 and 16 in the female partner, with complex balanced rearrangements (including 5 transchromosomal breakpoints). CONCLUSION The complex balanced rearrangements of the female partner's chromosomes had occurred during meiosis, the resultant unbalanced gametes may be the cause of repeated miscarriage in this family. OGM can delineate complex rearrangement breakpoints and directions that are difficult to reveal by conventional karyotyping analysis and provide a basis for accurate reproductive genetic counseling.
Humans ; Abortion, Habitual/etiology* ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Male ; DNA Copy Number Variations/genetics* ; Adult ; Karyotyping ; Pedigree ; Gene Rearrangement ; Chromosome Mapping

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of β-blockers in older patients with hypertension combined with vascular dementia.Methods A total of 152 older patients with hypertension combined with vascular dementia who were admitted to Shanxi Provincial Fenyang Hospital between January 2022 and October 2024 were enrolled.The participants were randomly assigned to either the study group or the control group(76 patients each)using the randomized numerical table method.Both groups received conventional treatment,and the study group received metoprolol for 5 weeks in addition to the conventional treatment.Primary outcome indicators,including changes in systolic blood pressure(SBP)and diastolic blood pressure(DBP)before and after treatment,were examined.Additionally,comparison was made to examine the intergroup difference in serological markers,including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-6,IL-8,matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9),homocysteine(Hcy),and superoxide dismutase(SOD)levels,and the scores for intelligence,cognitive,and behavioral assessments.Adverse reactions were recorded.Results After treatment,the study group showed reduced SBP from(146.90±7.35)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)to(120.00±6.03)mmHg and reduced DBP from(90.24±5.97)mmHg to(77.23±6.81)mmHg.The reduction in blood pressure in the study group became more significantly when compared with that of the control group,with intergroup difference in SBP reduction being-8.54 mmHg(P<0.001)and intergroup difference in DBP reduction being-10.80 mmHg(P<0.001).Patients in the 2 groups showed statistically significant differences in the levels of hs-CRP,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-8,MMP-9,and Hcy,and in their cognitive and behavioral scores(P<0.05).No statistically significant differences were found in pulse pressure,von Willebrand factor(vWF)levels,or intelligence scores before and after treatment(P>0.05).The main adverse reactions in the study group were central nervous system reactions(22.37%)and withdrawal syndrome(17.11%).Conclusion The β-blocker metoprolol effectively controlled blood pressure,significantly reduced levels of pro-inflammatory factors and specific vascular injury markers,and improved cognitive function and behavioral symptoms in older patients with hypertension combined with vascular dementia,suggesting its therapeutic efficacy for this condition.However,attention should be paid to its associated adverse reactions.

Objective To evaluate the protective effect of radiation protection safety education (RPSE) on patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) undergoing iodine-131 (¹³¹I) treatment. Methods The DTC patients who undergo ¹³¹I treatment were divided into the control group and the RPSE group using the convenience sampling method, with 142 patients in each group. Patients in the control group received routine health education, while the RPSE group received routine health education combined with RPSE. Dose equivalent rate (DER) on pillows, bed sheets, quilt covers, and household waste of patients were compared between the two groups upon discharge. Results The median (M) DERs of patients' pillows, bed sheets, quilt covers and household waste were 3.86, 3.63, 3.91 and 56.59 times higher in the control group compared with the environmental background level, respectively. The M DERs of patients' pillows, bed sheets, quilt covers were 2.23, 2.18, and 2.55 times higher in the RPSE group compared with the environmental background level, while the M DER of household waste was equivalent to the environmental background level. The DERs of patients' pillows, bed sheets, quilt covers, and household waste in the RPSE group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all P<0.001). The DERs of the above four items were lower in both male and female patients in RPSE group compared with same-gender patients in the control group (all P<0.001). The patients' DERs of the above indicators had no significant difference among different gender in both control group and RPSE group (all P>0.05), except for higher DER of household waste in female patients than that of male patients in the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the DERs of pillows, bed sheets, quilt covers, and household waste across subgroups, where patients received different treatment doses, of both the control group and the RPSE group (all P>0.05). Conclusion RPSE for DTC patients treated with ¹³¹I, reduces the DERs of pillows, bed sheets, quilt covers, and particularly household waste.

Objective To investigate whether miR-15b-5p can alleviate airway inflammation in asthma by negatively regulating ubiquitin specific peptidase 9X (USP9X) to down-regulate the expression of phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-diphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit α/AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (PIK3CA/AKT1) pathway. Methods USP9X was predicted to be a direct target of miR-15b-5p by using an online database (miRWalk), and the luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to verify it. Co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) was used to verify the direct binding between USP9X and PIK3CA and the role of USP9X and its small molecule inhibitor WP1130 in the deubiquitination of PIK3CA. C57 mice were randomly divided into Control group, OVA group, OVA combined with NC group and miR-15b-5p agomir group, with 10 mice in each group. BEAS-2B cells were induced with interleukin 13 (IL-13) and treated with miR-15b-5p mimic. HE, Masson, PAS, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR) were performed. Results It was found that the administration of miR-15b-5p agomir and mimic could reduce peribronchial inflammatory cells and improve airway inflammation, and miR-15b-5p could target negative regulation of USP9X. USP9X could directly bind to PIK3CA and regulate PIK3CA level in a proteasome-dependent manner, and USP9X could deubiquitinate K29-linked PIK3CA protein. Down-regulation of USP9X could increase PIK3CA ubiquitination level. WP1130, a small molecule inhibitor of USP9X, has the same effect as knockdown of USP9X, both of which could increase the ubiquitination level of PIK3CA and reduce the protein level of PIK3CA. Conclusion The miR-15b-5p/USP9X/PIK3CA/AKT1 signaling pathway may provide potential therapeutic targets for asthma.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Asthma/pathology* ; Class I Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Inflammation/genetics* ; Cell Line ; Female ; Male

Objective:To study the comparative genomic characteristics of Marmota himalayana-derived (referred to as marmota-derived) Brucella abortus (B.ab). Methods:The species and types of one strain of marmota-derived Brucella and one strain of human-derived Brucella isolated from the brucellosis epidemic area in Qinghai Province in the same year were identified. Meanwhile, DNA was extracted for whole genome sequencing and comparative genomics analysis (including phylogenetic tree construction, gene family clustering analysis, common/specific gene analysis, and genomic structural variation analysis, etc.). Results:Two Brucella strains from different hosts were identified as B.ab. By constructing a phylogenetic tree, the marmota-derived B.ab strain was grouped with strains from Heilongjiang Province and showed genetic correlation with strains from Russia. Human-derived B.ab strain was classified as a strain in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Hebei Province, Beijing City, and Gansu Province. The multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of the two strains belonged to the ST2 type. Multiple locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) belonged to two new MLVA-8 and MLVA-11 genotypes, which were clustered in two subclusters of the same cluster and clustered with the strains from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Hebei Province. The pan-genome numbers of the marmota-derived B.ab and human-derived B.ab were 283 and 8, respectively; the number of core genes (common genes) was 68 and 2, respectively; and the number of unique genes was 3 and 4, respectively. The unique gene encoded proteins were inconsistent. In marmota-derived B.ab, the main ones were the ABC transporter ATP-binding protein, N-terminal acetyltransferase, and glucose/galactose transporter. The number of homologous genes of the marmota-derived B.ab and human-derived B.ab was 16 and 20, respectively; the number of translocation and inversion genes was 13 and 8, respectively; the number of deletion mutation genes was 11 and 14, respectively. Pathogenicity analysis showed that both strains had the mprF resistance gene, and the marmota-derived B.ab strain also carried bacitracin and macrolide resistance genes. Conclusions:Brucella exhibits cross-species genetic diversity. The proteins encoded by the unique genes of the marmota-derived B.ab mainly play a role in metabolic and epigenetic regulation. The strains cluster with B.ab strains from northern China, providing a reference for molecular epidemiology and pathogen tracing of B.ab infection.

Objective To investigate the effect of long non-coding RNA non-coding RNA-activated by DNA damage(LncRNA NORAD)on macrophage apoptosis induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection via sponging microRNA-20a-5p(miR-20a-5p).Methods Healthy subjects(n=50)who came for health checkup,patients with active tuberculosis(n=50)and individuals with asymptomatic M.tuberculosis infection(n=50)were enrolled from Hebei Chest Hospital from March 2022 to April 2023.Venous blood samples were collected to prepare serum samples.The expression levels of LncRNA NORAD,miR-20a-5p,and inflammatory factors in the serum were measured.Human monocyte line THP-1 was induced to differentiate into macrophages and assigned into Control group,Model group,transfection of NORAD empty vector group(sh-NC group),transfection of sh-NORAD vector group(sh-NORAD group),co-transfection of sh-NORAD and miR-20a-5p inhibitor empty vector group(sh-NORAD+miR-20a-5p inhibitor NC group),co-transfection of sh-NORAD and miR-20a-5p inhibitor vector group(sh-NORAD+miR-20a-5p inhibitor group),transfection of miR-20a-5p empty vector group(miR-NC group),and transfection of miR-20a-5p vector group(miR-20a-5p mimics group).The expression levels of LncRNA NORAD and miR-20a-5p(qRT PCR method),cell proliferation ability(CCK-8 kit method),cell apoptosis(flow cytometry method),inflammatory factor levels(ELISA method),and protein expression levels of BCL2-Associated X(Bax),B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),and cleaved caspase 3 in cells were detected.The targeted relationship between LncRNA NORAD and miR-20a-5p was validated.Results Compared with healthy subjects,the patients with active tuberculosis and asymptomatic M.tuberculosis infection had significantly higher serum levels of inflammatory factors and expression of LncRNA NORAD,and significantly lower miR-20a-5p.Compared with Control group,Model group had significantly higher LncRNA NORAD level,cell proliferation ability,Bcl-2 protein expression,and inflammatory factor levels,but significantly lower miR-20a-5p level,apoptosis rate,and Bax and cleaved caspase 3 protein expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the sh-NC group,the sh-NORAD group had significantly lower LncRNA NORAD level,Bcl-2 protein expression,inflammatory factor levels,and cell proliferation ability,but significantly higher miR-20a-5p level,apoptosis rate,and Bax and cleaved caspase 3 protein expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the sh-NORAD+miR-20a-5p inhibitor NC group,the sh-NORAD+miR-20a-5p inhibitor group had significantly higher inflammatory factor levels,Bcl-2 protein expression,and cell proliferation ability,but significantly lower miR-20a-5p level,apoptosis rate,and Bax and cleaved caspase 3 protein expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the miR-NC group,the miR-20a-5p mimics group had significantly increased inflammatory cytokines and proliferation ability,and significantly reduced apoptosis rate(P＜0.05).The targeted relationship between LncRNA NORAD and miR-20a-5p was further confirmed through experiments.Conclusions LncRNA NORAD is overexpressed in macrophages induced by M.tuberculosis.Silencing the expression of LncRNA NORAD can target the downregulation of miR-20a-5p expression,thereby inhibiting the inflammatory response of macrophages induced by M.tuberculosis and promoting cell apoptosis.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between frailty and falls among older adult residents in communities in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.Methods:This study is a prospective research. In June 2024, the 1 047 older adults (aged 65 years and older) included in the "A longitudinal cohort study of aged population in Xinjiang" (ChiCTR2400093292) were followed up. The Fried frailty phenotype was used to assess the frailty status of the participants, and general information was collected, including whether the participants had experienced falls in the past 12 months. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for falls among older adults in communities in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.Results:Among the 1 047 participants, the incidence of falls among older adults was 10.2% (107/1 047). There were significant differences in frailty status and age between case and control groups (both P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that frailty and increasing age are risk factors for falls among older adults in communities in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The more severe the frailty, the greater the risk of falls ( χ2 = 7.57, P < 0.006, OR = 2.509, 95% CI: 1.303-4.830). Similarly, the greater the age, the greater the risk of falls ( χ2=8.94, P = 0.003, OR = 1.030, 95% CI: 1.013-1.064). Conclusions:Falls among older adults in communities in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are closely associated with frailty. It is essential to improve the assessment and screening of fall risks in frail older adults and to develop effective and appropriate fall prevention measures for this high-risk population.

Objective To investigate the effect of long non-coding RNA non-coding RNA-activated by DNA damage(LncRNA NORAD)on macrophage apoptosis induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection via sponging microRNA-20a-5p(miR-20a-5p).Methods Healthy subjects(n=50)who came for health checkup,patients with active tuberculosis(n=50)and individuals with asymptomatic M.tuberculosis infection(n=50)were enrolled from Hebei Chest Hospital from March 2022 to April 2023.Venous blood samples were collected to prepare serum samples.The expression levels of LncRNA NORAD,miR-20a-5p,and inflammatory factors in the serum were measured.Human monocyte line THP-1 was induced to differentiate into macrophages and assigned into Control group,Model group,transfection of NORAD empty vector group(sh-NC group),transfection of sh-NORAD vector group(sh-NORAD group),co-transfection of sh-NORAD and miR-20a-5p inhibitor empty vector group(sh-NORAD+miR-20a-5p inhibitor NC group),co-transfection of sh-NORAD and miR-20a-5p inhibitor vector group(sh-NORAD+miR-20a-5p inhibitor group),transfection of miR-20a-5p empty vector group(miR-NC group),and transfection of miR-20a-5p vector group(miR-20a-5p mimics group).The expression levels of LncRNA NORAD and miR-20a-5p(qRT PCR method),cell proliferation ability(CCK-8 kit method),cell apoptosis(flow cytometry method),inflammatory factor levels(ELISA method),and protein expression levels of BCL2-Associated X(Bax),B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),and cleaved caspase 3 in cells were detected.The targeted relationship between LncRNA NORAD and miR-20a-5p was validated.Results Compared with healthy subjects,the patients with active tuberculosis and asymptomatic M.tuberculosis infection had significantly higher serum levels of inflammatory factors and expression of LncRNA NORAD,and significantly lower miR-20a-5p.Compared with Control group,Model group had significantly higher LncRNA NORAD level,cell proliferation ability,Bcl-2 protein expression,and inflammatory factor levels,but significantly lower miR-20a-5p level,apoptosis rate,and Bax and cleaved caspase 3 protein expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the sh-NC group,the sh-NORAD group had significantly lower LncRNA NORAD level,Bcl-2 protein expression,inflammatory factor levels,and cell proliferation ability,but significantly higher miR-20a-5p level,apoptosis rate,and Bax and cleaved caspase 3 protein expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the sh-NORAD+miR-20a-5p inhibitor NC group,the sh-NORAD+miR-20a-5p inhibitor group had significantly higher inflammatory factor levels,Bcl-2 protein expression,and cell proliferation ability,but significantly lower miR-20a-5p level,apoptosis rate,and Bax and cleaved caspase 3 protein expression(P＜0.05).Compared with the miR-NC group,the miR-20a-5p mimics group had significantly increased inflammatory cytokines and proliferation ability,and significantly reduced apoptosis rate(P＜0.05).The targeted relationship between LncRNA NORAD and miR-20a-5p was further confirmed through experiments.Conclusions LncRNA NORAD is overexpressed in macrophages induced by M.tuberculosis.Silencing the expression of LncRNA NORAD can target the downregulation of miR-20a-5p expression,thereby inhibiting the inflammatory response of macrophages induced by M.tuberculosis and promoting cell apoptosis.