Background Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons represented by benzo[a]pyrene are among the most significant occupational and environmental pollutants. Exposure to benzo[a]pyrene during pregnancy can cause delayed intellectual development in offspring, and the mechanism may be related to the expression of protocadherin (Pcdh), a key molecule for learning and memory. Objective To explore the possible role of Pcdh in impaired learning and memory function of pups caused by benzo[a]pyrene exposure during pregnancy by establishing an animal model of cognitive impairment in pups caused by benzo[a]pyrene exposure during pregnancy, and detecting the expression of Pcdh and its transcription-related factors in the hippocampal tissues of pups at different developmental stages. Methods Sixty female and male SPF-grade rats were caged in a 1:1 ratio overnight, and the successfully mated female mice were randomly divided into blank control, 0 mg·kg⁻¹, 10 mg·kg⁻¹, 20 mg·kg⁻¹, and 40 mg·kg⁻¹ groups, with 6 mice in each group. They were intraperitoneally injected with benzo[a]pyrene from the 17th to the 19th day of pregnancy to establish an exposure model. Learning and memory functions of the offspring were tested through Morris water maze on the 45th day after the birth (PND) of the pups. On the PND45 and PND75 of the pups, hippocampal tissues of 6 pups (per group) were collected respectively. The expression levels of PcdhαC1 and wings apart-like homolog (WAPL) genes and proteins were detected by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting. Results The results of Morris water maze showed that there was no interaction between the escape latency time of the pups and the dose groups of 0 mg·kg⁻¹, 10 mg·kg⁻¹, 20 mg·kg⁻¹, and 40 mg·kg⁻¹ (F _{time × group}=0.515, P>0.05). The escape latency of pups decreased with increase of training time (F _time=24.678, P<0.001, F _group=12.803, P<0.001). The PCR results showed that at PND45, compared with the blank group, the relative expression levels of PcdhαC1 mRNA in the 10 mg·kg⁻¹, 20 mg·kg⁻¹, and 40 mg·kg⁻¹ groups decreased (P<0.05), and the relative expression levels of WAPL mRNA increased (P<0.05). At PND75, compared with the blank group, the relative expression levels of PcdhαC1 mRNA in the 20 mg·kg⁻¹ and 40 mg·kg⁻¹ groups decreased (P<0.05), and the relative expression levels of WAPL mRNA increased (P<0.05). The Western blotting results showed that at PND45, compared with the blank group, the expression levels of PcdhαC1 protein in the 10 mg·kg⁻¹, 20 mg·kg⁻¹, and 40 mg·kg⁻¹ groups decreased (P<0.05), and the expression levels of WAPL protein increased (P<0.05). At PND75, compared with the blank group, the expression levels of PcdhαC1 protein in the 10 mg·kg⁻¹, 20 mg·kg⁻¹, and 40 mg·kg⁻¹ groups decreased (P<0.05), and the expression levels of WAPL protein increased (P<0.05). Conclusion Exposure to benzo[a]pyrene during pregnancy can cause impairment in the learning and memory abilities of PND45 offspring and may alter the expression of PcdhαC1 and WAPL genes and proteins.

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a life-threatening condition associated with macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses. Effective therapies and drugs are still lacking to date. Here, we reveal that a derivative of xanthohumol, CAM12203, alleviates lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + d-galactosamine (D-GalN)-induced ALF through limiting macrophage-mediated inflammation, with the most significant impact on interleukin-1β (IL-1β) transcription. Through biotin labeling-mediated pull-down and LC-MS/MS analysis, diacylglycerol kinase ζ (DGKζ), a lipid-metabolizing kinase, is identified as the direct target of CAM12203. Mechanistically, DGKζ is induced in macrophages upon inflammatory stimuli and is upregulated observed on clinical liver failure samples. Its product phosphatidic acid (PA) boosts phospholipase C (PLC)-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP₃)-Ca²⁺ signaling and subsequent janus kinase 2 (JAK2)-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) cascade, ultimately promoting IL-1β production and liver failure. DGKζ knockdown/ablation or inhibition significantly impairs the DGKζ-STAT3-IL-1β pathway along with ALF progression. Finally, CAM12203 is confirmed to be a new DGKζ inhibitor and acts against inflammation in a DGKζ-reliant manner. Taken together, CAM12203 inhibits IL-1β transcription in macrophages by binding to DGKζ and blocking the DGKζ-STAT3 axis, thereby exerting an ameliorative effect on ALF. These results not only highlight CAM12203 as a promising lead compound for ALF treatment, but also define DGKζ as a novel therapeutic target.

Inflammation represents a critical immune response triggered by cellular activities and inflammatory mediators following tissue damage. It plays a central role in the pathological progression of diverse diseases, including psychiatric disorders, cancer, and immunological conditions, rendering it an essential target for therapeutic intervention. Periodontitis, a prevalent oral inflammatory disease, is a leading cause of tooth loss and poses significant health challenges globally. Traditionally, inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis have been treated with systemic administration of synthetic chemicals. However, recent years have witnessed challenges, including drug resistance and microbial dysbiosis associated with these treatments. In contrast, natural products derived from Chinese medicine offer numerous benefits, such as high safety profiles, minimal side effects, innovative pharmacological mechanisms, ease of extraction, and multiple targets, rendering them viable alternatives to conventional antibiotics for treating inflammatory conditions. Numerous effective anti-inflammatory natural products have been identified in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, lignans, and other natural products that exhibit inhibitory effects on inflammation and are potential therapeutic agents. Several studies have confirmed the substantial anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of these compounds. This comprehensive review examines the literature on the anti-inflammatory effects of TCM-derived natural products from databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI, focusing on terms like "inflammation", "periodontitis", "pharmacology", and "traditional Chinese medicine". The analysis systematically summarizes the molecular pharmacology, chemical composition, and biological activities of these compounds in inflammatory responses, alongside their mechanisms of action. This research seeks to deepen understanding of the mechanisms and biological activities of herbal extracts in managing inflammatory diseases, potentially leading to the development of promising new anti-inflammatory drug candidates. Future applications could extend to the treatment of various inflammatory conditions, including periodontitis.
Humans ; Periodontitis/immunology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemistry*

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore the current status and risk factors of oral health-related quality of life OHRQoL in patients with mental disorders and provide evidence for effective intervention measures. METHODS: A total of 397 patients diagnosed with mental illness were selected by convenience sampling, and investigation was carried out using general data questionnaire, health literacy in dentistry-14 (HeLD-14), oral health impact profile-14 (OHIP-14), and oral health status checklist. RESULTS: The total score of OHIP-14 in patients with mental disorders was 8(2, 14). The score of HeLD-14 was negatively correlated with the score of OHIP-14 (r=-0.142, P<0.01). The results of multiple linear regression showed that six variables including annual family income, schizophrenia, sweets, frequency of visits to the dentist, dental caries, and missing teeth affected OHRQoL of patients with mental disorders (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The poor OHRQoL of psychiatric patients is associated with many factors. Medical personnel should pay attention to their oral health problems and develop targeted oral care programs throughout the course of disease to improve oral health and related quality of life of patients.
Humans ; Quality of Life ; Oral Health ; Mental Disorders ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Male ; Female ; Dental Caries ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of the comparison between pit and fissure sealants and fluoride varnishes, as well as various types of sealants, in preventing caries on the occlusal surface of children's first permanent molars (FPM). METHODS: Conduct a comprehensive search of literature published between January 1, 1988, and May 30, 2024, in the following databases: China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, China Science Periodical Database and China Biology Medicine database. Meta-analysis and subgroup analyses were performed on the literature that met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: A total of 5 618 pieces of literature were retrieved, resulting in the inclusion of 14 in the study. Meta-analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the efficacy between varies pit and fissure sealants compared to fluoride varnishes, and between varies types of sealants in preventing caries on the occlusal surface of children's first permanent molars within 24 months post-surgery (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Within 24 months, there was no significant difference in the effectiveness of using resin-based or glass iomomer pit and fissure sealants compared with fluoride varnishes in preventing occlusal caries in FPM in children; within 24 months, there was no significant difference in the effectiveness of using resin-based sealants compared with ART sealants in preventing occlusal caries in FPM in children. ART sealants are recommended over resin-based sealers for children who have no conditions for chair-side manipulation or who are poorly co-operative.
Humans ; Pit and Fissure Sealants/therapeutic use* ; Dental Caries/prevention & control* ; Molar ; Child ; Fluorides, Topical/therapeutic use* ; Dentition, Permanent

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and mechanism of Panax notoginseng saponins （PNS） on wound healing after anal fistula surgery in rats by regulating the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）/vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）/ vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 （VEGFR2） signaling pathway. METHODS SD rats were selected to establish a postoperative rat model of anal fistula by infecting wound with Escherichia coli. The model rats were randomly grouped into model group， PNS low-dose and high-dose groups （15， 30 mg/cm2）， high-dose of PNS+2-methoxyestradiol （2ME2） group （PNS 30 mg/cm2+HIF-1α inhibitor 2ME2 4 mg/kg）， with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 normal rats were selected for back hair removal treatment as the control group. Each drug group was injected with the corresponding drug solution intramuscularly or （and） intraperitoneally， once a day， for 3 weeks. After the last administration， the wound healing rate （excluding the control group）， microvascular density （MVD）， the expression of collagen Ⅰ and fibronectin （FN） in the wound tissue were detected in each group； the levels of angiogenic factors [VEGF， E-mail：842710813@qq.com angiopoietin-Ⅰ （Ang-Ⅰ）， Ang-Ⅱ] in serum， the levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 （IL-6） and IL-2] in serum binggui7183@163.com and wound tissue as well as the expressions of the related proteins of HIF-1α/VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway in the wound tissue of rats were also detected in each group. RESULTS The MVD， the expression of collagen Ⅰ and FN in the wound tissue， and the levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in serum and wound tissue of rats increased significantly in the model group， compared to the control group （P＜0.05）， while the serum levels of VEGF， Ang- Ⅰ and Ang-Ⅱ decreased significantly （P＜0.05）. The wound healing rate， the MVD in wound tissue， the serum levels of VEGF， Ang-Ⅰ and Ang-Ⅱ， the expressions of collagen Ⅰ and FN in the wound tissue， and protein expressions of HIF-1α， VEGF and VEGFR2 in the PNS low-dose and high-dose groups increased significantly， compared to the model group （P＜0.05）， while the levels of IL-6 and IL-2 in serum and wound tissue decreased significantly （P＜0.05）； the high-dose PNS had a stronger effect （P＜ 0.05）. 2ME2 could weaken the effect of PNS on above indicators of rats after anal fistula surgery （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS PNS can promote the production of angiogenic factors and inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory factors， thereby promoting wound healing in rats after anal fistula surgery. The above effects are related to the activation of HIF-1α/VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveThe glycosidic linkage structural characteristics of polysaccharides from Pinelliae Rhizoma（PR） and its processed products were analyzed by sugar spectrum， high performance thin layer chromatography（HPTLC）， fluorescence-assisted carbohydrate gel electrophoresis（PACE） based on partial acid hydrolysis and specific glycosidase hydrolysis， and the antioxidant activities of polysaccharides before and after hydrolysis（enzymolysis） were compared. MethodPolysaccharides from PR and its processed products were extracted by ultrasound extraction， starch was hydrolyzed by α-amylase， and small molecules below 3 kDa were removed by ultrafiltration. The purified polysaccharides were prepared by hydrolysis of acid and five different specific glycosidases， and the hydrolysates were analyzed by HPTLC and PACE. The antioxidant capacity of polysaccharides was analyzed by 2，2′-azino-bis（3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid）（ABTS） and 2，2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl（DPPH） free radical scavenging experiment before and after different hydrolysis. ResultThrough HPTLC and PACE analysis， it was found that polysaccharides from PR and its processed products could be hydrolyzed by β-galactosidase， β-mannase， cellulase and pectinase， but hardly hydrolyzed by glucanase， indicating that the polysaccharides contained β-galactopyranoside bond， β-1，4-mannoside bond， β-1，4-glucoside bond and α-1，4-galacturonic acid glycosidic bond. In vitro antioxidant experiments showed that the ABTS radical scavenging capacity of the polysaccharides from PR and its processed products was weakened after acid hydrolysis and pectinase enzymatic hydrolysis， while the ABTS radical scavenging capacity was enhanced after enzymatic hydrolysis with cellulase， β-galactosidase， and β-mannase. And after different hydrolysis， the DPPH free radical scavenging capacity of polysaccharides from PR and its processed products was all significantly enhanced. ConclusionThe glycosidic linkage structural characteristics of polysaccharides from PR and its processed products was analyzed by sugar spectrum in this paper， and the relationship between glycosidic bond types and their antioxidant activity was clarified through in vitro antioxidant experiments， which is beneficial for further elucidating the material basis of the related efficacy of PR and its processed products， and providing new ideas and methods for analyzing the structural characteristics of polysaccharides in Chinese medicines.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） has gradually become the main reason affecting human liver health， and many factors are involved in the development and progression of NAFLD. Mitochondria， as the “energy factory” of cells， plays an important role in maintaining normal physiological functions. Studies have shown that hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction promotes the development and progression of NAFLD. This article briefly introduces the latest research advances in the basic characteristics and physiological function of liver mitochondria and reviews new research findings in the association of mitochondrial dysfunction with obesity， simple fatty liver disease， and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis， in order to provide new ideas for the research on targeted mitochondrial therapy for NAFLD.

Objective:To analyze clinical characteristics of primary pancreatic lymphoma (PPL) patients.Methods:Clinical features of 22 patients diagnosed as PPL admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2002 to May 2023 were analyzed retrospectively.Results:The median age was 56.4±13.3 years. The median time from onset to diagnosis was 1.0 (1.0, 3.0) months. The main clinical manifestations were abdominal pain (15/22), weight loss (14/22) and jaundice (10/22). Elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was observed in 15/20 (75%) patients. Only 2 (2/9, 22.2%) patients had increased CA199 levels and 2 (2/9, 22.2%) patients had increased CEA levels. The maximum tumor diameter was 5.0 (3.8, 6.9) cm. Contrast-enhanced CT mostly showed low enhancement lesions. Major pancreatic duct dilatation were rare on CT scan (4/20). Fifteen patients were confirmed by pancreatic pathology, of which 8 were obtained by surgery, 4 were obtained by CT or ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsy, and 3 were obtained by EUS-FNA. The main pathological type was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (14/22). 19 patients received chemotherapy, and 6 patients died with a median follow-up of 5.0 (1.5, 35.5) months.Conclusions:PPL is rare and easy to be misdiagnosed. Elevated LDH levels, normal tumor markers, and non-dilatation of main pancreatic duct are important diagnostic clues. It is important to obtain pathology by EUS-FNA and other methods for definite diagnosis.

Objective:Based on the cost-effectiveness,it aimed to assess the health benefits amd economic value of screening,di-agnosis,treatment,and optimal delicacy management of liver disease in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)patients.Methods:A Deci-sion tree-Markov model was developed to compare the cost-effectiveness of HCC screening and long-term surveillance versus no screening in population at risk from the health care system perspective.Results:It is found that HCC screening was a cost-effective approach compared to no screening(Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio[ICER]:17 790 yuan/QALY).Scenario analyses suggested that initiating HCC screening at the age of 40,as recommended by clinical guidelines,and implementing long-term surveillance based on risk stratification were more cost-effective.Conclusions:For the implementation of HCC screening programs,attention should be paid to improving participation and compliance among the population at risk,incorporating advanced screening methods,improving management efficiency with digital tools,and introducing innovative payment methods to reduce economic burden.