BACKGROUND:The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase(PI3K/AKT)signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in regulating osteoclast activation,which is essential for maintaining bone homeostasis.Bone destruction in osteoarticular tuberculosis is caused by aberrant osteoclastogenesis induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.However,the role of the PI3K signaling pathway in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced aberrant osteoclastogenesis remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects and mechanisms of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway inhibitor BYL-719 on aberrant osteoclastogenesis induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. METHODS:RAW264.7 cells were infected with bovine Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacillus calmette-cuerin vaccine,and Ag85B was used for cellular immunofluorescence staining.The cell counting kit-8 assay was employed to determine the safe concentration of BYL-719.There were four groups in the experiment:blank control group,BYL-719 group,BCG group,and BCG+BYL-719 group.Under the induction of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand,the effects of BYL-719 on post-infection osteoclast differentiation and fusion were explored through tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and phalloidin staining.RT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of osteoclast-related genes and proteins,and further investigate the mechanism of action. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Immunofluorescence staining showed that RAW264.7 cells phagocytosed Mycobacterium tuberculosis.Cell counting kit-8 data indicated that 40 nmol/L BYL-719 was non-toxic to cells.Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and phalloidin staining showed that BYL-719 inhibited the generation and fusion ability of osteoclasts following infection.RT-PCR and western blot results also indicated that BYL-719 suppressed the upregulation of osteoclast-specific genes(including c-Fos,NFATc1,matrix metalloproteinase 9,and CtsK)induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection(P<0.05).Western blot and immunofluorescence staining revealed that BYL-719 inhibited excessive osteoclast differentiation induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis by downregulating the expression of IκBα-p65.To conclude,BYL-719 inhibits aberrant osteoclastogenesis induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis through the downregulation of IκBα/p65.Therefore,the IκBα/p65 signaling pathway is a potential therapeutic target for osteoarticular tuberculosis,and BYL-719 holds potential value for the preventing and amelioration of bone destruction in osteoarticular tuberculosis.BYL-719 has the potential to prevent and ameliorate bone destruction in osteoarticular tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND:Micro-abrasion,at-home whitening combined with infiltration resin have a good effect on dental fluorosis,but the effect of this method on micro-cracks in dental fluorosis is still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of micro-abrasion,at-home whitening combined with infiltration resin on micro-cracked dental fluorosis. METHODS:(1)Clinical research:A total of 23 patients with micro-cracked dental fluorosis,including 255 micro-cracked dental fluorosis,were selected from July 2020 to March 2021 in the Department of Prosthodontics,Stomatology Hospital,Tianjin Medical University.All of them received combined treatment of tooth micro-abrasion,at-home whitening and infiltration resin.The tooth color,tooth sensitivity,and tooth pain threshold were compared before treatment and 1 week and 1 month after treatment.(2)In vitro experiment:60 teeth with fluorosis with at least one crack on the tooth surface were collected and randomly divided into three groups for treatment.The control group was treated without any treatment.The whitening group was treated with micro-abrasion and at-home whitening,and the combined group was treated with micro-abrasion,at-home whitening,and infiltration resin,with 20 teeth in each group.The microhardness of the three groups of teeth samples after treatment was measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Clinical study:6 months after treatment,among 255 teeth with micro-cracked dental fluorosis,whitening treatment for 207 teeth was significantly effective and whitening treatment for 48 teeth was effective,and the overall treatment efficiency was 100%.With the extension of treatment time,the proportion of moderate and severe dental sensitivity showed a decreasing trend.At 6 months after treatment,255 teeth with dental fluorosis had no severe sensitivity,15 with moderate sensitivity,125 with mild sensitivity,and 115 with no sensitivity,and the difference was significant compared with the sensitivity before treatment(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the threshold of tooth pain before treatment and 1 week and 6 months after treatment(P>0.05).(2)In vitro experiment:The tooth microhardness of the whitening group was lower than that of the control group and the combined group(P<0.05),but there was no significant difference between the control group and the combined group(P>0.05).(3)The results show that the methods of micro-abrasion,at-home whitening combined with infiltration resin have good clinical efficacy in the treatment of micro-cracked dental fluorosis.

BACKGROUND:Dental pulp stem cells are one of the stem cells with great potential in oral and maxillofacial tissue engineering.Compared with mesenchymal stem cells,dental pulp stem cells have the advantages of convenient collection,less ethical problems and higher potential of proliferation and differentiation.Currently,except for biochemical factors,physical stimulation also plays a critical role in the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells. OBJECTIVE:To review the relevant physical factors and the possible signaling pathway affecting the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells to find the optimal induction conditions affecting their differentiation. METHODS:PubMed and CNKI databases were searched for relevant articles using"dental pulp stem cells(DPSCs),osteogenesis differentiation,odontoblastic differentiation,hypoxia,mechanical force,laser therapy,magnetic fields,microgravity"as English and Chinese search terms.Seventy-nine articles regarding physical factors affecting osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells were selected for the review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Direct or indirect physical signals in the microenvironment have shown broad application prospects in regulating the directed differentiation of stem cells.Many related physical factors,for example,hypoxia,mechanical stimulation(dynamic hydrostatic pressure,mechanical tension,shear force,etc.),laser,microgravity,and magnetic field,have positive influences on the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells.Owing to the complex mechanical environment of stomatognathic system,mechanical stimulation is a key physical factor in changing cellular environment and is also a frontier in tissue engineering.It will provide new ideas for investigating the response of dental pulp stem cells to the mechanical environment in the diagnosis and treatment of oral diseases.(2)Because this field is relatively"young",the parameters of equipment have not been unified and the relevant results are not consistent.The optimal induction parameters and conditions of related physical factors should be further explored and optimized.(3)Scaffold material,one of the three elements of tissue engineering,plays a role in promoting the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells,and promotes the development of materials science and clinical technology.(4)The signaling pathways involve Notch,Wnt,MAPK,etc.The biological basis of regulating the behavior of dental pulp stem cells is not clear.The specific mechanism will be further explored in the future to provide new ideas for dental pulp regeneration and bone tissue engineering under the influence of physical factors.

BACKGROUND:Types II,IIA,and III of Hangman fractures often require surgical treatment,and the selection of surgical methods is controversial.Current surgeries have shortcomings such as incomplete reduction and malunion after surgery.In the early stage,our team used C2-3 lag screws combined with a bucking bar.Intermittent pushing of the C2 vertebral body in the oropharynx has achieved satisfactory clinical results.However,the preliminary studies included few samples and lacked a control group for comparison. OBJECTIVE:To compare the clinical efficacy of posterior C2-3 fixation combined with the bucking bar technique and posterior C2-3 fixation alone in the treatment of unstable Hangman fractures. METHODS:The clinical and imaging data of 55 patients with unstable Hangman fractures who underwent posterior C2-3 internal fixation in Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University were retrospectively analyzed.According to the surgical plan,the patients were divided into two groups.Among them,23 patients received posterior cervical C2-3 internal fixation combined with the bucking bar technique(group A),and 32 patients received simple posterior C2-3 internal fixation(group B).Operation time,intraoperative blood loss,complications,pain visual analog scale score,neck disability index,American Spinal Injury Association classification,and patient satisfaction(Odom's classification)preoperation and during follow-up were compared between the two groups.The changes in C2-3 displacement and angulation and other imaging indicators were compared at each observation time point. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no statistically significant difference in operation time,intraoperative blood loss,and postoperative complications between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)The neck pain visual analog scale and neck disability index scores of the two groups of patients at the final follow-up were significantly improved compared with those before surgery(P<0.05).The Odom standard classification showed that 21 cases(91%)in group A were excellent and 29 cases(91%)were excellent and good in group B.There was no statistically significant difference in the clinical efficacy indicators between the two groups(all P>0.05).(3)There was no significant difference in C2-3 angulation and displacement between the two groups before operation(P>0.05).Postoperation and at the last follow-up,the angle and displacement of C2-3 in both groups were significantly smaller than before surgery,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).There was no statistically significant difference in the above indicators after surgery and at the last follow-up(P>0.05).After surgery and at the last follow-up,the displacement and angle of C2-3 in group A were significantly smaller than those in group B(P<0.05).(4)At the last follow-up,no patients in group A had residual deformity,and 4 cases(13%,4/32)in group B had residual deformity.(5)Therefore,posterior C2-3 fixation combined with transoral bucking bar technology may be beneficial to the reduction and stabilization of the vertebral body,reduces malunion,and can achieve better reduction.

Objective: To analyze the distribution characteristics of fluoride and trichloromethane in drinking water in rural schools in Guizhou Province and assess their health risks, so as to provide a scientific basis for ensuring the safety of drinking water in rural schools. Methods: During the dry season (March to May) and wet season (July to September) of 2020 to 2022, 788 rural primary and secondary schools in agricultural counties (districts) in Guizhou Province were selected for investigation by using a direct sampling method. A total of 1 566 drinking water samples were collected from these schools, and the mass concentrations of fluoride and trichloromethane in the water samples were detected. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for intergroup comparison, and a health risk assessment model was employed to evaluate the health risks of students oral intake of fluoride and trichloromethane. Results: From 2020 to 2022, the mass concentrations of fluoride and trichloromethane in the drinking water of rural schools in Guizhou Province all met the standards, and the ranges were no detection to 0.99 mg/L and (no detection to 0.06)×10 -3 mg/L, respectively. The mass concentrations of fluoride in dry and wet seasons were 0.05(0.05,0.10), 0.05(0.05,0.10) mg/L, the mass concentrations of trichloromethane were [0.02(0.02,1.00)]×10 -3 , [0.02(0.02,1.00)]×10 -3 mg/L, the mass concentrations of fluoride in factory water and terminal water were 0.05(0.05,0.05), 0.05(0.05,0.10) mg/L, and the differences were not statistically significant ( Z=-0.04, -0.88, - 0.98 , P >0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the mass concentration of trichloromethane between factory water and peripheral water [0.02(0.02,0.02)×10 -3 , 0.02(0.02,1.05)×10 -3 mg/L]( Z=-2.16, P < 0.05 ). The non-carcinogenic risk assessment values for students oral exposure to fluoride and trichloromethane were in the range of 0.01(0.01,0.03)-0.03(0.03,0.06) and [0.26( 0.26 ,14.54)]×10 -4 -[0.52(0.52,48.62)]×10 -4 , respectively, all of which were at acceptable levels; the carcinogenic risk assessment values for oral exposure to trichloromethane were in the range of [0.08(0.08, 4.51 )]×10 -7 -[0.16(0.16,15.07)]×10 -7 , indicating a low risk. Conclusions The health risks of students expore to fluoride and trichloromethane in drinking water in rural schools of Guizhou Province are low. It is necessary to strengthen the standardized management of disinfection in some rural drinking water projects and the monitoring of fluoride in water sources to reduce the exposure risk to children.

In order to further standardize the vaccination of kidney transplant candidates and recipients in China, the Branch of Organ Transplantation of Chinese Medical Association has organized experts in kidney transplantation and infectious diseases. Based on the "Vaccination of Solid Organ Transplant Candidates and Recipients: Guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice", and in combination with the clinical reality of infectious diseases and vaccination after organ transplantation in China, as well as referring to relevant recommendations from home and abroad in recent years, these guidelines are formulated from aspects such as epidemiology, types of vaccines, vaccination principles, target population, and specific vaccine administration. The "Guidelines for Vaccination of Kidney Transplant Candidates and Recipients in China" aims to provide theoretical reference for medical workers in the field of kidney transplantation in China, regarding the vaccination of kidney transplant candidates and recipients. It is expected to better guide the vaccination of kidney transplant candidates and recipients, reduce the risk of postoperative infection, and improve survival outcomes.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Objective To compare the mid- and long-term clinical results of mitral valve plasty (MVP) and mitral valve replacement (MVR) in the treatment of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). Methods Patients with FMR who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from 2012 to 2021 were collected. The patients who underwent MVP were divided into a MVP group, and those who underwent MVR into a MVR group. The clinical data and mid-term follow-up efficacy of two groups were compared. Results Finally 236 patients were included. There were 100 patients in the MVP group, including 53 males and 47 females, with an average age of (61.80±8.03) years. There were 136 patients in the MVR group, including 72 males and 64 females, with an average age of (61.29±8.97) years. There was no statistical difference in baseline data between the two groups (P＞0.05). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the extracorporeal circulation time, aortic occlusion time, postoperative hospital and ICU stay, intraoperative blood loss, or hospitalization death (P＞0.05), but the time of mechanical ventilation in the MVP group was significantly shorter than that in the MVR group (P=0.022). The total follow-up rate was 100.0%, the longest follow-up was 10 years, and the average follow-up time was (3.60±2.55) years. There were statistical differences in the left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter and cardiac function between the two groups compared with those before surgery (P<0.05). The postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction in the MVP group was statistically higher than that before surgery (P=0.002), but there was no statistical difference in the MVR group before and after surgery (P=0.658). The left atrial diameter in the MVP group was reduced compared with the MVR group (P=0.026). The recurrence rate of mitral regurgitation in the MVP group was higher than that in the MVR group, and the difference was statistically significant (10.0% vs. 1.5%, P=0.003). There were 14 deaths in the MVP group and 19 in the MVR group. The cumulative survival rate (P=0.605) and cardiovascular events-free survival rate (P=0.875) were not statistically significant between the two groups by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Conclusion The safety, and mid- and long-term clinical efficacy of MVP in the treatment of FMR patients are better than MVR, and the left atrial and left ventricular diameters are statistically reduced, and cardiac function is statistically improved. However, the surgeon needs to be well aware of the indications for the MVP procedure to reduce the rate of mitral regurgitation recurrence.

With the widespread adoption of low-dose CT screening and the extensive application of high-resolution CT, the detection rate of sub-centimeter lung nodules has significantly increased. How to scientifically manage these nodules while avoiding overtreatment and diagnostic delays has become an important clinical issue. Among them, lung nodules with a consolidation tumor ratio less than 0.25, dominated by ground-glass shadows, are particularly worthy of attention. The therapeutic challenge for this group is how to achieve precise and complete resection of nodules during surgery while maximizing the preservation of the patient's lung function. The "watershed topography map" is a new technology based on big data and artificial intelligence algorithms. This method uses Dicom data from conventional dose CT scans, combined with microscopic (22-24 levels) capillary network anatomical watershed features, to generate high-precision simulated natural segmentation planes of lung sub-segments through specific textures and forms. This technology forms fluorescent watershed boundaries on the lung surface, which highly fit the actual lung anatomical structure. By analyzing the adjacent relationship between the nodule and the watershed boundary, real-time, visually accurate positioning of the nodule can be achieved. This innovative technology provides a new solution for the intraoperative positioning and resection of lung nodules. This consensus was led by four major domestic societies, jointly with expert teams in related fields, oriented to clinical practical needs, referring to domestic and foreign guidelines and consensus, and finally formed after multiple rounds of consultation, discussion, and voting. The main content covers the theoretical basis of the "watershed topography map" technology, indications, operation procedures, surgical planning details, and postoperative evaluation standards, aiming to provide scientific guidance and exploration directions for clinical peers who are currently or plan to carry out lung nodule resection using the fluorescent microscope watershed analysis method.

AIM:To detect the expression levels of miR-744-5p and E3 ubiquitin protein ligase(PELI3)in conjunctival epithelial cells of perimenopausal patients with dry eye, and analyze their correlation with sex hormone level, inflammatory factor level and tear secretion function.METHODS: A total of 60 perimenopausal patients with dry eye admitted to our hospital from February 2020 to February 2022 were selected as the observation group, in addition, 60 perimenopausal subjects with no abnormal eye examination were included as a control group. The tear film break-up time(BUT), Schirmer I test(SⅠt)and corneal fluorescein staining(FL)scores of perimenopausal patients with dry eye were collected. The conjunctival epithelial cells of the two groups were obtained by impression cytology, the expression level of miR-744-5p was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR), the PELI3 levels of conjunctival epithelial cells and serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), estradiol(E2), luteinizing hormone(LH), interleukin-1(IL-1), interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; correlation analysis was conducted by Pearson and Spearman methods.RESULTS: The expression level of miR-744-5p in conjunctival epithelial cells of patients in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, and the expression level of PELI3 was lower than that in the control group(all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression levels of FSH, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in serum of patients increased in the observation group, and the expression levels of E2 and LH in serum decreased(all P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that miR-744-5p was negatively correlated with PELI3 in conjunctival epithelial cells of perimenopausal dry eye patients(r=-0.476, P<0.01); miR-744-5p was negatively correlated with LH, E2, BUT and SⅠt(all P<0.05), while it was positively correlated with FSH, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and FL scores(all P<0.05); PELI3 was negatively correlated with FSH, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and FL scores, while it was positively correlated with E2, BUT and SⅠt(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The level of miR-744-5p increased and PELI3 decreased in conjunctival epithelial cells of perimenopausal patients with dry eye. PELI3 and miR-744-5p were closely related to the sex hormones level, inflammatory factor level and the function of tear secretion in perimenopausal patients with dry eye.