Objective: To investigate the effect of integrin α5 on the expression of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) in periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) within an inflammatory microenvironment. Methods: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Laboratory animals. After rat PDLFs were treated with LPS (0.5, 5, and 50 µg/mL) for 24 h, the primary medium was discarded and replaced with serum-free culture medium. After 24 h, the supernatant was collected and mixed with DMEM medium containing 10% exosome-free serum at a volume ratio of 1:1 to obtain conditioned medium (CM). The groups were labeled as the 0.5-CM, 5-CM, and 50-CM groups. In addition, PDLFs cultured in DMEM medium containing 10% exosome-free serum were considered the 0-CM group. PDLFs were cultured with the above CM. In the inhibitor group, PDLFs were cultured in 0-CM containing different concentrations of integrin α5 inhibitor ATN-161 (0, 0.025, 0.25, 2.5, 25, and 250 μg/mL). The effect of CM and integrin α5 inhibitor ATN-161 on cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. According to the CCK-8 results, in further inhibitor intervention experiments, PDLFs were cultured in 0-CM, 5-CM (without/with 25 μg/mL ATN-161), and 0-CM containing 25 μg/mL ATN-161, which were labeled as the 0-CM, 5-CM, ATN-161+5-CM, and ATN-161 groups, respectively. The expression changes of integrin α5 and NLRP3 were detected using Western blot and qRT-PCR techniques. For in vivo experiments, 24 rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=6). The control group contained healthy rats that received no treatment. The rats in the other three groups were injected with 40 µL of 0-CM containing 25 μg/mL ATN-161 or 5-CM (without or with 25 μg/mL ATN-161) on the palatal side of the left maxillary first molar every three days; these groups were classified as the ATN-161, 5-CM, and ATN-161+5-CM groups, respectively. On the 30th day, the left maxillary tissue of rats was used for Micro-CT, HE staining, and immunohistochemical detection. Results : The CCK-8 assay showed that CM, 25 μg/mL ATN-161, and ATN-161 concentrations below 25 μg/mL had no significant effect on cell viability at 12 h and 24 h (P > 0.05). 50-CM and 25 μg/mL ATN-161 significantly inhibited cell viability at 48 h (P < 0.05). For in vitro experiments, compared to the 0-CM group, both the protein and mRNA levels of integrin α5 and NLRP3 were significantly increased in rat PDLFs in the 5-CM group (P < 0.05). Intervention with 25 μg/mL ATN-161 significantly attenuated the enhancement of 5-CM on the expression of integrin α5 and NLRP3 (P < 0.05). For in vivo experiments, compared to the control group, alveolar bone resorption and periodontal inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly increased in the 5-CM and ATN-161+5-CM groups, and the expression of integrin α5 and NLRP3 was significantly increased (P < 0.01). However, compared to the 5-CM group, the ATN-161+5-CM group had less alveolar bone resorption and fewer periodontal inflammatory cells. Further, the expression of integrin α5 and NLRP3 was significantly reduced (P < 0.01). Conclusion In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that integrin α5 mediated NLRP3 expression in PDLFs under an inflammatory microenvironment. ATN-161 inhibited the expression of integrin α5, thus significantly downregulating the expression of NLRP3, which plays a role in inhibiting inflammation.

Fluorine, as one of the important trace elements, has multiple physiological functions and participates in body metabolism. Moderate intake of fluoride is beneficial for human health, while excessive fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, and multi-organ damage. Typical symptoms of skeletal fluorosis include bone sclerosis, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, and degenerative changes in articular cartilage. The pathological basis for skeletal changes in fluorosis involves enhanced osteogenesis and accelerated bone turnover, which are comprehensively regulated by multiple signaling pathways. Although the etiology of skeletal fluorosis has been determined, its pathogenic mechanisms remain inconclusive. In recent years, researchers have extensively investigated the signaling pathways involved in skeletal fluorosis development, including Notch, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and insulin signaling pathways, as well as their interactive networks. This article summarizes and reviews the recent research findings, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for comprehensively understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of skeletal fluorosis and offer insights for scientific prevention of skeletal fluorosis.

Fluorine, as one of the important trace elements, has multiple physiological functions and participates in body metabolism. Moderate intake of fluoride is beneficial for human health, while excessive fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, and multi-organ damage. Typical symptoms of skeletal fluorosis include bone sclerosis, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, and degenerative changes in articular cartilage. The pathological basis for skeletal changes in fluorosis involves enhanced osteogenesis and accelerated bone turnover, which are comprehensively regulated by multiple signaling pathways. Although the etiology of skeletal fluorosis has been determined, its pathogenic mechanisms remain inconclusive. In recent years, researchers have extensively investigated the signaling pathways involved in skeletal fluorosis development, including Notch, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and insulin signaling pathways, as well as their interactive networks. This article summarizes and reviews the recent research findings, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for comprehensively understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of skeletal fluorosis and offer insights for scientific prevention of skeletal fluorosis.

Objective:To investigate the potential causal relationships between gut microbiota composition and the risk of developing various subtypes of breast cancer by using bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR).Methods:The research utilized genome-wide association studies(GWAS) data on gut microbiota from the MiBioGen database and GWAS data on breast cancer from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC). In this MR study, inverse variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, MR Egger, and MR-PRESSO methods were used. Additionally, reverse MR and stratified analyses were conducted to assess reverse causality and the impact on different subtypes of breast cancer.Results:Adlercreutzia (IVW OR=0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.98, P=0.01) and Parabacteroides (IVW OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.79-0.96, P=0.007) exhibited a statistically significant protective effect on breast cancer. Conversely, Sellimonas (IVW OR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.09, P=0.01) was significantly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Desulfovibrio (IVW OR=0.94, 95% CI: 0.88-1.00, P=0.04) and Ruminococcaceae (UCG013) (IVW OR=0.92, 95% CI: 0.86-0.99, P=0.03) presented suggestive protective effects against breast cancer. Furthermore, stratified analysis revealed that the protective effect of Adlercreutzia against breast cancer persisted in the estrogen receptor(ER)-positive subtypes, while Desulfovibrio persisted in the ER-negative subtypes. Sellimonas was causally associated with the risk of ER-positive subtypes. CACNA1S was identified as the functional gene of Adlercreutzia, and associated with favorable prognosis in breast cancer, while ERBB4 was identified as the functional gene of Sellimonas and associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer. Conclusions:This study identifies the causal relationships between gut microbiota and breast cancer, suggesting a novel target for early clinical intervention and treatment, with potential implications for future functional analysis.

Objective:To investigate the potential causal relationships between gut microbiota composition and the risk of developing various subtypes of breast cancer by using bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization(MR).Methods:The research utilized genome-wide association studies(GWAS) data on gut microbiota from the MiBioGen database and GWAS data on breast cancer from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC). In this MR study, inverse variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, MR Egger, and MR-PRESSO methods were used. Additionally, reverse MR and stratified analyses were conducted to assess reverse causality and the impact on different subtypes of breast cancer.Results:Adlercreutzia (IVW OR=0.92, 95% CI: 0.87-0.98, P=0.01) and Parabacteroides (IVW OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.79-0.96, P=0.007) exhibited a statistically significant protective effect on breast cancer. Conversely, Sellimonas (IVW OR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.01-1.09, P=0.01) was significantly associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Desulfovibrio (IVW OR=0.94, 95% CI: 0.88-1.00, P=0.04) and Ruminococcaceae (UCG013) (IVW OR=0.92, 95% CI: 0.86-0.99, P=0.03) presented suggestive protective effects against breast cancer. Furthermore, stratified analysis revealed that the protective effect of Adlercreutzia against breast cancer persisted in the estrogen receptor(ER)-positive subtypes, while Desulfovibrio persisted in the ER-negative subtypes. Sellimonas was causally associated with the risk of ER-positive subtypes. CACNA1S was identified as the functional gene of Adlercreutzia, and associated with favorable prognosis in breast cancer, while ERBB4 was identified as the functional gene of Sellimonas and associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer. Conclusions:This study identifies the causal relationships between gut microbiota and breast cancer, suggesting a novel target for early clinical intervention and treatment, with potential implications for future functional analysis.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Jianpi Yang'er Ointment for children with anorexia of spleen deficiency type in Lingnan area;To analyze its effects on children's intestinal flora and functional information by means of metagenome sequencing.Methods Totolly 144 children with anorexia in Guangzhou Women and Children Medical Center of Guangzhou Medical University from August 2022 to January 2023 were orally treated with Jianpi Yang'er Ointment,one bag per time,twice a day,after meal,for 28 d.Visits were conducted at 0 and 28 days,respectively,to measure height and body mass,record symptoms and signs,observe adverse reactions,collect feces,and fill out the"Clinical Index Scoring Table for Children with Spleen Deficiency Type Anorexia in Lingnan Area".Clinically cured children were included in the anorexia group,with healthy children as a healthy control group(HC group),perform metagenomic analysis on feces of HC group and anorexia group 0 and 28 days of treatment.Results Compared with 0 d of treatment,there was no significant difference in the height of children(P>0.05),while there was a significant difference in body mass(P<0.05),the total syndrome score,main symptom score,and secondary symptom score decreased at 28 d of treatment(P<0.05).The efficacy index was 57.03%,and the total effective rate was 99.31%(143/144).All patients did not experience symptoms such as allergies,vomiting,or diarrhea.7 clinically cured children and 6 healthy children were included in metagenome analysis on feces.PCoA showed that the structure of intestinal flora in anorexia group with 28 d treatment(JP2 group)was more similar to that in HC group at the phylum and genus levels;at the phylum level,there was no significant difference in the distribution of intestinal flora between anorexia group with 0 d treatment(JP1)group and JP2 group and HC group.At the genus level,compared with JP1 group,the abundance of Bacteroides in JP2 group decreased,but the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05);at the species level,both JP1 and JP2 groups were mainly composed of Phocaeicola plebeius et al.and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenatum et al.The biomarker with significant differences between the two groups was s_Phascolarctobacterium_faecium,while the HC group was mainly composed of Prevotella copri and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenatum.The functional annotation results indicated that a significant change in microbial functional genes related to carbohydrate metabolism occurred after the treatment with Jianpi Yang'er Ointment.Conclusion Jianpi Yang'er Ointment can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of children with spleen deficiency anorexia in Lingnan area,adjust the structure of intestinal flora,increase the content of key probiotics,and regulate the production of intestinal microbiota short-chain fatty acids.

Objective:To investigate the outcomes of periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) through modified Smith-Petersen or Bikini approach with an auxiliary posterolateral incision for developmental dysplasia of hip (DDH).Methods:85 patients (97 hips) who underwent PAO through modified Smith-Petersen or Bikini approach with auxiliary posterolateral incision for DDH in the 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese People's Liberation Army or the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2016 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 70 females and 15 males, with an average age of 28.6±8.4 years (12-49). According to the Hartofilakidis classification, all patients were classified as type Ⅰ. There were 77 hips classified as Grade 0 and 20 hips classified as Grade 1 according to the T?nnis classification. The X-ray evaluation including the lateral central edge angle (LCEA), t?nnis angle (TNS) and anterior central edge angle (ACEA), visual analogue score (VAS) and modified Harries hip score (mHHS) were recorded preoperatively and during each postoperative follow-up. The cumulative sum (CUSUM) method was used to fit the learning curves of operation time.Results:All patients were followed-up with an average of 52.7±18.9 months (21 to 84). The average operative time and intraoperative blood loss were 95.9±28.2 min (65 to 215) and 414.7±97.0 ml (250 to 900), respectively. The learning curve of operation time was 10 cases. The average LCEA 32.39° (30.29°, 34.92°), TNS 3.14° (1.56°, 5.67°) and ACEA 31.55° (29.07°, 33.88°) were all significantly improved compared to preoperative values ( Z=-30.764, P<0.001; Z=30.595, P<0.001; Z=-38.134, P<0.001). The average VAS was reduced from 5.18±0.88 points preoperatively to 1.27±0.93 points postoperatively with significant difference ( t=51.231, P<0.001). The average mHHS was increased from 73.12±9.17 to 92.02±4.05 postoperatively with significant difference ( t=-26.902, P<0.001). No patients received total hip arthroplasty during the follow-up period. Conclusion:Bernese PAO through modified Smith-Petersen or Bikini approach with a small auxiliary posterolateral incision was not only a safe and effective method for the treatment of DDH but also shortened the learning curve and reduced difficulty of the surgery.

Objective:To observe any effect of ultrashortwave (USW) therapy on inflammatory cytokines and the MAPK pathway of rats with a spinal cord injury.Methods:Seventy-nine Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group ( n=35), an intervention group ( n=35) and a sham group ( n=9). Allen′s method was used to establish a contusion model of SCI in the rats of the control and intervention groups, while the sham group′s spinal tissues were exposed but not stricken. Beginning twenty-four hours after SCI modeling, the intervention group was given 7min of USW therapy daily, five days a week till the day of sacrifice for sampling the target area of spinal cord for tests. Then, motion function was evaluated using Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) scoring. One, three and seven days after the SCI modeling, immunofluorescence and western blotting were employed to observe any changes in inflammatory factors and the MAPK pathway in the lesioned area. Results:Fourteen days after the modeling the average BBB score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group′s average. Moreover, 7 days after the modeling the average content of the domains containing protein 3 (NLRP3), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-6 receptor and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the target area of the spinal cord of sham group showed significantly lower levels than in the other 2 groups. And the levels in the intervention group were significantly lower than in the control group. Seven days after the modeling the number of cells positive for zinc finger protein 36 (TTP) in the lesioned area of the intervention group was significantly greater than among the control group. At the same time the levels of MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2), phosphorylated-mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated version (p-MK2) and TTP in the control and intervention groups were significantly higher than in the sham group. And there were significant differences between the intervention group and control group in the levels of MK2, p-MK2 and TTP.Conclusion:Ultrashortwave therapy can inhibit inflammation by regulating the MAPK inflammatory pathway, promoting the recovery of motion functions, at least in rats.

Objective:To describe the characteristics and change trends of incidence, mortality and disease burden of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Qingdao from 2014 to 2020.Methods:We analyzed the incidence data of AMI retrieved from Qingdao Chronic Diseases Surveillance System. The average annual percent change (AAPC) of morbidity and mortality of AMI were evaluated by using Joinpoint log-linear regression model. Disability adjusted life year (DALY) was used to estimate disease burden of AMI in Qingdao.Results:A total of 70 491 AMI cases and 50 832 deaths of AMI occurred in Qingdao from 2014 to 2020. The age-standardized morbidity and mortality were 54.71/100 000 and 36.55/100 000, respectively. During 2014-2020, the AAPC of age-standardized morbidity was 2.86% (95% CI: 0.42%-5.35%), and 4.30% (95% CI: 1.24%-7.45%) in men and 0.78% (95% CI: -0.89%-2.47%) in women, respectively. The log-linear regression model showed that age-standardized morbidity in age groups 30-39, 40-49 years increased rapidly, with the AAPCs of 8.92% (95% CI: 2.23%-16.06%) and 6.32% (95% CI: 3.30%-9.44%), respectively. The trend was also observed in age groups 30-39, 40-49 and 50-59 years in men, with the AAPCs of 11.25% (95% CI: 3.54%-19.54%), 6.73% (95% CI: 2.63%-10.99%) and 6.72% (95% CI: 2.98%-10.60%), respectively. There was no significant change in age-standardized mortality. The DALY rate increased from 7.49/1 000 in 2014 to 8.61/1 000 in 2020, with the AAPC of 1.97% (95% CI: 0.36%-3.60%). Conclusions:The age-standardized morbidity of AMI in men increased in Qingdao, especially in those aged 30-49 years, while age-standardized mortality rate of AMI was relatively stable from 2014 to 2020. The burden of disease of AMI increased in both men and women.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of external diaphragm pacing（EDP）combined with hyperbaric oxygen（HBO）therapy on preventing ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction（VIDD）and its related mechanism.Methods:A total of 100 adult male rats were randomly divided into five groups：blank control（BC）group，VIDD group，EDP group，HBO therapy group，and the combination of EDP and HBO therapy（EDP+HBO）group，with 20 rats per group. After tracheotomy，the BC group received no treatment，while the rats in the other four groups were given controlled mechanical ventilation to establish the VIDD rat model. And after successful modeling，the VIDD group did not receive further intervention，and the other three groups were treated accordingly. After 10 days of consecutive treatment，the changes in diaphragm weight（DW）and DW/body weight（BW），contraction force of diaphragm in vitro，and transection area of muscle fibers of each group were measured. Gene and protein expressions of diaphragm-related factors were detected. Results:Compared with the BC group，the DW，DW/BW，the transection area of muscle fibers，and the fiber structure and the contraction force of diaphragm in vitro of the VIDD group were decreased significantly. The expression levels of MHC-1，Keap1，Drp1，atrogin-1，MuRF-l，caspase-3，and beclin1 in the VIDD group were significantly increased while the expression levels of MHC-2，p-Akt，Mfn2，Nrf2，SOD，and GSH-Px were significantly decreased after treatment（ P < 0.05）. Compared with the VIDD group，the EDP+HBO group had higher DW and DW/BW［（0.35 ± 0.02）g vs.（0.63 ± 0.06）g，0.78 ± 0.08 vs. 1.34 ± 0.06，both P<0.05］，stronger contraction force of diaphragm in vitro［（1.15 ± 0.42）N/cm 2vs.（2.19 ± 0.10）N/cm 2， P < 0.05］，declining expression levels of MHC-1，Keap1，Drp1，atrogin-1，MuRF-l，caspase-3，and beclin1，increased expression levels of MHC-2，p-Akt，Mfn2，Nrf2，SOD，and GSH-Px，and much better diaphragmatic function，and all the differences were statistically significant（ P<0.05）. Conclusion:External diaphragm pacing combined with HBO therapy can significantly mitigate and decelerate VIDD by increasing the contraction force of the diaphragm，and reducing the oxidative stress，diaphragmatic atrophy and structural injury.