Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are widely acknowledged as primary mediators to the initiation and progression of tumors. The association between microbial infection and cancer stemness has garnered considerable scholarly interest in recent years. Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is increasingly considered to be closely related to the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Nevertheless, the role of P. gingivalis in the stemness of OSCC cells remains uncertain. Herein, we showed that P. gingivalis was positively correlated with CSC markers expression in human OSCC specimens, promoted the stemness and tumorigenicity of OSCC cells, and enhanced tumor formation in nude mice. Mechanistically, P. gingivalis increased lipid synthesis in OSCC cells by upregulating the expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) expression, a key enzyme involved in lipid metabolism, which ultimately resulted in enhanced acquisition of stemness. Moreover, SCD1 suppression attenuated P. gingivalis-induced stemness of OSCC cells, including CSCs markers expression, sphere formation ability, chemoresistance, and tumor growth, in OSCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, upregulation of SCD1 in P. gingivalis-infected OSCC cells was associated with the expression of KLF5, and that was modulated by P. gingivalis-activated NOD1 signaling. Taken together, these findings highlight the importance of SCD1-dependent lipid synthesis in P. gingivalis-induced stemness acquisition in OSCC cells, suggest that the NOD1/KLF5 axis may play a key role in regulating SCD1 expression and provide a molecular basis for targeting SCD1 as a new option for attenuating OSCC cells stemness.
Porphyromonas gingivalis/pathogenicity* ; Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase/metabolism* ; Humans ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology* ; Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Animals ; Neoplastic Stem Cells/microbiology* ; Mice, Nude ; Mice ; Nod1 Signaling Adaptor Protein/metabolism* ; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor

Objective:To explore the value of ultrasound imaging characteristics combined with clinical indicators in assessing the prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who underwent pancreatic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) from September 2017 to October 2023 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and were diagnosed with PDAC based on pathological findings. Various parameters were recorded, including CA19-9 levels, tumor size, location, morphologic features, echogenicity, presence of internal cystic components, dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, peripheral vascular invasion, CEUS characteristics, presence or absence of liver metastasis, and treatment methods. In April 2024, patient survival information was obtained through telephone follow-up or review of medical records. Based on the results of the cox regression model analysis, a nomogram model of the risk of death was developed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model. The calibration curves were plotted to evaluate the accuracy of the model, and clinical decision curves were used to evaluate the clinical benefit of the model.Results:This study included a total of 207 patients with PDAC. As of April 2024, 71 patients were alive and 136 died, with a median survival time of 14 months (95% CI: 12 -17). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the elevated CA19-9 ( HR=1.689, 95% CI: 1.102-2.588), tumor size >4 cm ( HR=1.641, 95% CI: 1.159-2.322), taller-than-wide shapes ( HR=1.450, 95% CI: 1.019-2.065), incomplete hypo-enhancement ( HR=1.618, 95% CI: 1.100-2.380), and liver metastasis ( HR=1.687, 95% CI: 1.175-2.423) were independent risk factors for survival in patients with PDAC. A nomogram model was further constructed for 6-month, 12-month and 3-year survival of patients with PDAC. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.679, 0.705 and 0.815, respectively. The calibration curves suggested that the model was more accurate, and the clinical decision curves showed that the model had a better clinical benefit. Conclusion:The combined use of ultrasound imaging characteristics and clinical indicators could effectively predict the prognosis of PDAC patients. Specifically, tumor size >4 cm, taller-than-wide shapes, incomplete hypo-enhancement, elevated CA19-9, and the presence of liver metastasis are correlated with poorer survival outcomes. The nomogram model constructed on the basis of these factors can be used to assess the survival of patients with PDAC.

This article systematically reviews the role and relationship of heme oxygenase(HO)in the pathogenesis of metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)and discusses the biological function of HO,its expression in the liver,its association with lipid metabolism,and its regulatory role in inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress,in order to reveal the potential therapeutic targets and mechanism of HO in MAFLD and provide new perspectives and directions for future treatment strategies.

Objective:To observe the level of serum uric acid in young patients with ischemic stroke, and to explore the relationship between the level of serum uric acid and the short-term prognosis of young patients with ischemic stroke.Methods:From July 2020 to December 2022, 93 cases of young patients with ischemic stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology of Tianjin Baodi Hospital were collected as the case group, and 93 cases of healthy people in the physical examination center during the same period were collected as the control group. The clinical data of the two groups were collected and analyzed retrospectively, and the uric acid level of the two groups was compared, and the influence of serum uric acid level on the short-term prognosis of young patients with ischemic stroke was discussed. The measurement data of normal distribution were compared by two independent samples t-test, the measurement data of non-normal distribution were represented by xˉ± s and compared by non-parametric rank sum test, and the count data were represented by M( Q1, Q3) compared by chi-square test, the relationship between uric acid and short-term exacerbation of acute ischemic stroke in young patients was analyzed by binary Logistic multivariate analysis. Results:There was no significant difference in serum uric acid between case group and control group ( P>0.05), The level of serum uric acid in young patients with ischemic stroke in short-term exacerbation group (316.54±128.18) μmol/L was lower than that in stable group (388.62±113.54) μmol/L. The difference was statistically significant ( t=2.21, P=0.030). Conclusion:Elevated serum uric acid level is not an independent risk factor of ischemic stroke in young people, and serum low uric acid level is associated with short-term aggravation of acute ischemic stroke.

For middle-aged and elderly patients with conditions such as spinal fractures and degenerative spinal diseases, spinal internal fixation is a core surgical procedure for reconstructing spinal stability, heavily relying on the biomechanical stability provided by pedicle screw systems. Whereas, these patients are often complicated by osteoporosis that can significantly compromise the stability of the bone-pedicle screw interface, leading to a marked increase in pedicle screw loosening and surgical failure rates. The bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique, which involves injecting bone cement into the vertebral body or screw trajectory to optimize the mechanical properties of the bone-pedicle screw composite, has been proven to significantly enhance fixation strength and effectively prevent screw-related failures, thereby reducing the incidence of internal fixation failure in high-risk populations undergoing spinal fusion. However, the widespread clinical application of this technique has faced challenges such as inaccurate clinical decision-making (indication and contraindication selection), non-standardized operative practices, and insufficient awareness of complication prevention, resulting in considerable variability in clinical outcomes and even severe complications. To address this, Prof. Luo Fei from First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University initiated the project and the Chinese Association Orthopaedic Surgeons organized relevant experts to develop the Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique ( version 2025), based on current evidence. The guidelines put forward 8 recommendations regarding the clinical value, scope of application, and operational standards of the technique, aiming to provide evidence-based medical support and technical standardization for clinical decision-making.

This article systematically reviews the role and relationship of heme oxygenase （HO） in the pathogenesis of metabolic associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） and discusses the biological function of HO， its expression in the liver， its association with lipid metabolism， and its regulatory role in inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress， in order to reveal the potential therapeutic targets and mechanism of HO in MAFLD and provide new perspectives and directions for future treatment strategies.

Objective To compare the results obtained from an artificial intelligence (AI)-based chromosome image scanning and processing system, the Metafer 4 chromosome scanning and analysis system, and manual analysis of dicentric chromosomes, and to explore the feasibility of applying AI technology for dicentric chromosome detection and biological dose estimation. Methods Healthy human elbow vein blood was collected and subjected to ⁶⁰Co in vitro irradiation. Chromosome samples were prepared using conventional methods. The slides were scanned and automatically analyzed using the AI-based system and the Metafer 4 system. The results were manually analyzed and confirmed. Results The number of cells was comparable between the AI-based system and the Metafer 4 system. However, the scanning speed of the AI-based system was 4.5 seconds per image, which was significantly faster than the 7.3 seconds per image of the Metafer 4 system (t = −6.19, P < 0.05). At a confidence level of 0.7, the AI-based system demonstrated a true positive rate of 96.7% and a false positive rate of 6.5%, which were significantly better than the true positive rate (45.4%-54.5%) and false positive rate (22.2%-29.2%) of the Metafer 4 system (all P < 0.05). In the biological dose estimation, the deviation of the dose-response curve was ≤ ± 10% in the automatic analysis using the Metafer 4 system. Due to the use of the manual dose-response curve, the deviation of the AI-based System was ≤ ± 15%. However, there were no significant differences in the estimated doses when the two systems were compared with the manual analysis (P > 0.05). Conclusion Both the AI-based chromosome image scanning and processing system and the Metafer 4 chromosome scanning and analysis system greatly improved the analysis speed of chromosome aberrations. However, the scanning speed, true positive rate, and false positive rate of the AI-based system were superior to those of the Metafer 4 system. Therefore, the AI-based system is more suitable for rapid and high-throughput biological dose estimation in large-scale radiation accidents.

Objective To analyze the health effects of long-term occupational exposure to ionizing radiation on radiation workers in a nuclear power plant, and to provide a scientific basis for their occupational health monitoring. Methods In 2023, 183 radiation workers in a nuclear power plant were subjected to the analysis of blood cell parameters such as mean red blood cell count, white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocyte count, and hemoglobin count, thyroid function indicators such as serum triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and thyrotropin, as well as the chromosomal aberration rate and micronucleus rate of the lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. Results The blood cell parameters, thyroid function indicators, chromosomal aberration rate, and micronucleus rate of these radiation workers in the nuclear power plant were within normal reference ranges. Comparison among radiation workers with different ages showed statistically significant differences in triiodothyronine (H = 6.98, P < 0.05) and micronucleus rate (H = 48.44, P < 0.05). Among the three groups of radiation workers with different working years, WBC was significantly different (χ² = 3.87, P < 0.05), with the lowest WBC observed in radiation workers with ≥ 20 years of service. Thyroxine (χ² = 4.01, P < 0.05) and micronucleus rate (H = 40.95, P < 0.05) also varied significantly among these three groups. Conclusion Thyroid triiodothyronine level and micronucleus rate were affected by age, while WBC, thyroid thyroxine level, and micronucleus rate were related to working years. Targeted health management should be carried out for radiation workers in nuclear power plants to improve the awareness of radiation protection and continuously enhance their health status.

Objective To explore the effect of training weights on energy expenditure(EE)among young males during squatting.Methods Twenty young males with strength training experience≥1 year were recruited and performed 3 sets of squats,with 5 repetitions per set,at 40%1RM,60%1RM and 80%1RM,respectively,with an interval of at least 72 hours.Oxygen uptake(VO2),heart rate,blood lactate,and the mechanical work on the barbell during squat exercises were measured before,during,and after each sets.Moreover,one-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare EE differenc-es between different training weights,and two-way ANOVA was employed to examine the weight×method effect on metabolic equivalent(MET)values.Meanwhile,Pearson's correlation analysis was conducted to examine the correlation between EE and barbell mechanical work.Results(1)Training weight has significant effects on the total energy expenditure and EE during excess post-exercise oxy-gen consumption(EPOC)stage(P<0.001),while a significant increase was observed in the glycolytic EE only at 80%1RM and the aerobic EE with no less than 60%1RM(P<0.01 and P<0.05).(2)The percentage of EPOC-stage and glycolytic EE in the total energy expenditure was significantly higher than the aerobic EE(P<0.01),while that of aerobic EE at 40%1RM and 60%1RM was significantly higher than at 80%1RM(P<0.01).(3)Total energy expenditure(r=0.65,P<0.001)and EPOC-stage EE(r=0.68,P<0.001)showed moderate correlation with the mechanical work done.(4)Aerobic EE was significantly lower than the mechanical work done during squatting(P<0.001).Moreover,the MET values of squats calculated using aerobic EE during exercise at 40%-80%1RM was 2.42±0.54,2.89±0.87 and 2.7±0.56,while the MET ones calculated using the total energy expenditure reached 14.99±2.94,20.52±4.51 and 28.57±6.88.Conclusions Only EPOC-stage and glycolytic EE elevate with the increase of weight.Moreover,EE and the MET value scalculated using VO2 dur-ing exercise may under estimate the actual intensity of squat.Meanwhile,the accuracy of EE estima-tion may be improved by introducing the mechanical work.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of low-volume high-intensity interval training(LV-HIIT)protocols defined by the W'Balance(W'BAL)model in achieving maximal activation of both anaerobic and aerobic energy systems.Methods Twenty-eight national-level athletes(age:20±1 years old;height:174±9 cm;weight:65.1±9.4 kg)completed an incremental exercise test,followed by six supra-critical power(supra-CP)and five sub-CP constant-load tests to determine VO2max,maximal accumulated oxygen deficit(MAOD),critical power(CP),and W prime(W').They then performed three randomly ordered LV-HIIT protocols(each of 4-minute total duration),with a 10-second inter-val for passive recovery between bouts.The protocols consisted of 10s(HIIT10/10),20s(HIIT20/10),and 30 s(HIIT30/10).Exercise intensities were individually prescribed using the W'BAL model.Accu-mulated oxygen deficit(AOD)and net AOD(NAOD)were calculated for each protocol.Results Final 10-s oxygen uptake(VO2)reached 77％,88％,and 89％of VO2max in HIIT10/10,HIIT20/10,and HIIT30/10,respectively(P<0.05).VO2 in HIIT10/10 was significantly lower than in HIIT20/10 and HIIT30/10(P<0.05),with no significant difference between the latter two(P>0.05).AOD did not differ significantly from MAOD among the three protocols(P>0.05),whereas NAOD was significantly lower than MAOD in all cases(P<0.05).Additionally,NAOD in HIIT10/10 was significantly lower than in HIIT20/10 and HI-IT30/10(P<0.05),with no significant difference between the latter two(P>0.05).Conclusion The HIIT20/10 and HIIT30/10 intensity established by the W'BAL model can substantially elicit maximal activation of both anaerobic and aerobic energy systems.While the W'BAL model demonstrates potential for set-ting exercise intensities in LV-HIIT,future studies are necessary to develop specific W'recovery rate models for targeted populations and to refine CP models that are better suited for intermittent exercises.