ObjectiveThis study aims to compare the modeling effects of submaxillary gland antigen and salivary gland antigen in the establishment of Sjögren syndrome (SS) mouse models, and to characterize the phenotypic and immunological features of these models in comparison with spontaneous SS-prone non-obese diabetic (NOD)/LtJ mice. MethodsAdult C57BL/6J mice (equal numbers of males and females) were immunized with submaxillary gland antigen or salivary gland antigen, respectively, combined with Freund's adjuvant to induce SS models. Mice immunized with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) combined with Freund's adjuvant served as the control group. Immunization was induced via multiple subcutaneous injections in the back with antigen combined with Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) on Days 1 and 7. A booster immunization was administered via multiple subcutaneous injections in the back with antigen combined with Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA) on Day 14. Female NOD/LtJ mice were used as the spontaneous SS model group, with ICR mice as the corresponding control strain for comparative analysis. Body weight, water intake, and salivary flow rate of mice were dynamically monitored for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, tissue and serum samples were collected, the weights of submaxillary glands, thymus, and spleen were measured, and organ indices (organ-to-body weight ratios) were calculated. Pathological morphological analysis of the submaxillary gland and spleen was performed with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Serum interleukin-17 (IL-17) level was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of SS type A (SSA) and SS type B (SSB) in submaxillary gland tissues. ResultsFemale mice in the submaxillary gland antigen group exhibited significantly increased water intake (P<0.05) and reduced salivary flow rate (P<0.05) compared with the female control group. No statistically significant differences were observed in the submaxillary gland index, thymus index and spleen index (P>0.05). Focal lymphocytic infiltration was observed in the submaxillary glands, and the splenic marginal zone was enlarged. Serum IL-17 levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in submaxillary gland SSA/SSB expression levels (P>0.05). Compared with the female control group, female mice in the salivary gland antigen group showed no statistically significant differences in water intake, salivary flow rate, submaxillary gland index, and spleen index (P>0.05), whereas the thymus index was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Mild inflammatory cell infiltration and glandular atrophy were observed in the submaxillary glands, and the splenic white pulp and marginal zone were slightly enlarged. Serum IL-17 levels and submaxillary gland SSB mRNA expression levels were significantly increased (P<0.01), whereas no significant change was observed in submaxillary gland SSA expression levels (P>0.05). Compared with the male control group, mild submaxillary gland atrophy was observed in male mice in the submaxillary gland antigen group, whereas no obvious changes were found in other modeling-related indicators (P>0.05). Compared with the ICR control group, NOD/LtJ model mice exhibited elevated water intake (P<0.05), significantly reduced salivary flow rate (P<0.01), no significant differences in the submaxillary gland index or spleen index (P>0.05), but a significantly increased thymus index (P<0.05). Marked focal infiltration was observed in the submaxillary glands, the splenic marginal zone was obviously enlarged, and serum IL-17 concentrations as well as submaxillary gland SSA/SSB expression levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). ConclusionSubmaxillary gland antigen and salivary gland antigen can induce SS-related features in female C57BL/6J mice. The SS-related phenotype is more pronounced in the submaxillary gland antigen group than in the salivary gland antigen group, but weaker than that in spontaneously SS-prone female NOD/LtJ mice. Immunization of male C57BL/6J mice with submaxillary or salivary gland antigens fails to induce an obvious SS phenotype.

With the rapid aging of the global population, the demand for prosthodontic rehabilitation of partial edentulism continues to increase. Among the available treatment options, removable partial dentures remain an essential clinical modality for restoring partially edentulous arches and masticatory function because of their broad indications, minimal invasiveness, and cost-effectiveness. However, unlike fixed prosthodontics, which have undergone substantial digitalization, removable partial denture therapy is characterized by dual tooth-tissue support, complex biomechanics, and highly variable anatomical morphology. As a result, the digital design and fabrication of removable partial dentures have long faced major bottlenecks, including limited standardization, steep learning curves, and heavy dependence on expert experience. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has undergone a paradigm shift from early expert systems to machine learning and deep learning, creating new opportunities to address the complexity and precision demands of removable partial denture design. Based on a comprehensive literature review and our team's clinical experience, this article systematically elaborates on the specific applications and normative standards of AI throughout the entire removable partial denture fabrication workflow. In the data acquisition phase, we emphasize multimodal data fusion and digital pressure impression strategies. In the intelligent diagnosis and planning phase, deep learning is utilized to achieve the automatic identification of edentulous areas and undercuts, while machine learning and expert systems assist in abutment selection and treatment plan generation. Regarding automated design logic, the article analyzes the process from the intelligent planning of the common path of insertion to parametric design based on biomechanical optimization. At the clinical operation level, a standardized human-machine collaborative workflow of “AI generation-clinician review-local fine-tuning” is proposed. In terms of ethics and accountability, the principles of algorithmic transparency and “the clinician as the ultimate responsible subject” are emphasized. Furthermore, integrating clinical practice, this article innovatively proposes a “capability grading system for AI-assisted removable partial denture design (comprising the auxiliary analysis level, the rule-based design level, and the intelligent adaptive level)”. The aim is to offer practical recommendations for dental clinicians, dental technicians, and researchers, thereby facilitating the transition of removable partial denture prosthodontics toward greater precision, intelligence, and standardization.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the changes of air aerosols in the digestive endoscope cleaning and disinfec-tion room under real working conditions and observe the purification effects of aerosols under different ventilation and disinfection modes.METHODS Under the real working conditions(with both the air conditioner and recircu-lating air disinfection machine under the working mode),the air samples were collected every 1 hour from 8:00 to 16:00 from the digestive endoscope cleaning and disinfection room of Ren Ji Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong U-niversity School of Medicine from May 2023 to Oct.2023;the contents of particulate matters(PM)and microor-ganisms in the air were detected.At the busiest moment of the cleaning and disinfection room,the air was respec-tively sampled from the cleaning and disinfection room with the working condition modes of air condition systems,recirculating air disinfection machine or natural ventilation before the starting of systems and after the work for 0.5 hour,1 hour and 2 hours.The contents of PMs and microorganisms were detected.RESULTS The PM0.5 con-centrations during various time periods met the Grade 9 ISO clean room standard(≤35,200 particles/L)under the real working conditions,and the content of airborne viable particles also conformed to the Class Ⅲ environmental requirements(≤500 CFU/m3).All of the three ventilation and disinfection methods showed certain effects on purification of the con-tents of PM0.5 and microorganisms after the ventilation for 2 hours,the contents of PMs and microorganisms of the air disinfection machine group decreased most remarkably,followed by the air conditioner group,the natural ventilation group the least.There were no significant differences in the PM concentration and the content of microorganisms among the three groups at the time points;there were only significant differences in the PM concentration and the content of mi-croorganisms of the air disinfection machine group after the ventilation for 2 hours,0.5 hour and 1 hour(P＜0.05).CONCLUSIONS Both the air conditioning systems and recirculating air disinfection machine under the working con-dition mode have certain effect on purification of the contents of PM and microorganisms,and the specific effect need to be further studied.The implementation of multicenter dynamic surveillance with the help of intelli-gent techniques may provide reference for the optimization of ventilation and disinfection strategies.

Objective To investigate the role of high-temperature requirement factor A2(HTRA2)in the mitochondrial unfolded protein response(mtUPR)model induced by the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium(MPP+)and the compensatory effects of other proteases.Methods The mtUPR cell model was established by treating SH-SY5Y cells with MPP+.Cell viability was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)assay,and mitochondrial morphological changes and intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels were examined under transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscope,respectively.Western blot(WB)was used to detect the expression levels of C/EBP Homologous Protein(CHOP),Heat shock protein family E member 1(HSPE1),YME1-like 1 ATPase(YME1L1),Caseinolytic mitochondrial matrix peptidase proteolytic subunit(CLPP),and Lon peptidase 1,mitochondrial(LONP1).Lentivirus-mediated knockdown(KD)of the HTRA2 gene in SH-SY5Y cells was performed.The mRNA and protein expression levels of HTRA2 were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and WB,respectively.After induction of mtUPR in HTRA2-KD SH-SY5Y cells with 400 μmol/L MPP?,cell viability and protein expression levels of HTRA2,YME1L1,CLPP,and LONP were evaluated using the CCK-8 assay and WB,respectively.Results mtUPR cell model was successfully established following treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with 400 μmol/L MPP+for 24 hours.Compared to the control group,there was no significant change in cell viability.Under electron microscopy,there were no remarkable alterations in the mitochondrial cristae and size in the mtUPR group.The average fluorescence intensity of ROS in the mtUPR group was 1.25±0.08 fold that of the PBS group,and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.001).The expression levels of CHOP,HSPE1,HTRA2,CLPP,and LONP were significantly higher in the mtUPR group than in the control group,which were 2.68±0.94、2.83±0.89、1.67±0.20,1.65±0.28,and 1.66±0.13 times that of control group,respectively(all P<0.05).The expression level of YME1L1 in the mtUPR group was 1.28±0.27 times that of the control group,with no statistical significance(P>0.05).After knockdown of the HTRA2 gene in SH-SY5Y cells,the expression levels of CLPP,YME1L1,and LONP1 increased to 1.46±0.79,1.41±0.12,and 1.32±0.25 times that of the empty virus group,respectively(all P<0.05).Following treatment with 400 μmol/L MPP+for 24 hours in HTRA2-KD SH-SY5Y cells,cell viability in HTRA2-KD group decreased to 88.4%±6.1%of the empty virus group(P<0.05).In the HTRA2 group,there were no significant changes in the expression levels of YME1L1 and LONP1 compared to the empty virus group(all P>0.05),while the expression level of CLPP increased to(1.88±0.62)times that of the empty virus group(P=0.033).Conclusion HTRA2 is an important mitochondrial protease in the MPP+-induced mtUPR response,and other mitochondrial proteases partially compensate for the function of HTRA2.

Objective:To investigate the bone augmentation effects of domestic decellularized porcine small intestinal submucosa (PSIS) absorbable biomembrane and domestic bovine pericardium tissue (BPT) absorbable biomembrane in guided bone regeneration (GBR) for single-tooth implantation in diabetic patients.Methods:A prospective case-control study was conducted with 48 diabetic patients who received single-tooth implant restoration at the Department of Prosthodontics, School of Stomatology. The Fourth Military Medical University, between January 2023 and January 2024. Patients were randomly assigned to the study group (PSIS group) and the control group (BPT group) using a random number table, with 24 patients in each group. GBR was performed simultaneously with the implant surgery. Cone-beam CT was used to compare the buccal-side horizontal bone gain at 6 months post-operation between the two groups. Wound healing was evaluated at 1 and 4 weeks post-operation using wound healing scores.Results:At 6 months post-operation, the buccal-side horizontal bone gain at 2 mm below the implant abutment in the study group [69.1 (55.2, 82.4) mm] and the control group [71.4 (59.8, 77.0) mm] showed no statistically significant difference ( Z=-0.25, P=0.805). The wound healing scores at 1 and 4 weeks post-operation in the study group did not differ significantly from those in the control group at the same time points (1 week: Z=-0.49, P=0.627; 4 weeks: Z=-0.61, P=0.539). Conclusions:The use of two types of domestic absorbable collagen membranes for GBR in single-tooth implantation in diabetic patients showed comparable buccal-side horizontal bone gain effects at 6 months post-operation and similar clinical outcomes for wound healing at 1 and 4 weeks post-operation in both groups. The GBR effects of PSIS and BPT are similar.

The integration of digital technology with dentistry has become a central driving force in 21st-century dental innovation. Within the realm of occlusal function research, analytical methodologies are undergoing a paradigm shift: evolving from traditional empirical models toward multidimensional intelligent systems capable of digital precision assessment. The critical need for accurate occlusal contact analysis in both clinical practice and scientific research underscores the strategic importance of selecting context-appropriate analysis technologies, a process fundamental to ensuring diagnostic precision and research reproducibility. This investigation systematically discussed the evolutionary trajectory of occlusal analysis technologies through three key dimensions: technical principles, metric innovation, and efficacy evaluation framework. By conducting comparative analyses of various methodologies, we focus on delineating their unique technical advantages and clinical applicability boundaries. The study ultimately aims to establish evidence-based selection protocols for precision occlusal diagnostics while charting technical roadmaps for the iterative advancement of intelligent occlusal analysis systems.

Objective To investigate the role of high-temperature requirement factor A2(HTRA2)in the mitochondrial unfolded protein response(mtUPR)model induced by the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium(MPP+)and the compensatory effects of other proteases.Methods The mtUPR cell model was established by treating SH-SY5Y cells with MPP+.Cell viability was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)assay,and mitochondrial morphological changes and intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels were examined under transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscope,respectively.Western blot(WB)was used to detect the expression levels of C/EBP Homologous Protein(CHOP),Heat shock protein family E member 1(HSPE1),YME1-like 1 ATPase(YME1L1),Caseinolytic mitochondrial matrix peptidase proteolytic subunit(CLPP),and Lon peptidase 1,mitochondrial(LONP1).Lentivirus-mediated knockdown(KD)of the HTRA2 gene in SH-SY5Y cells was performed.The mRNA and protein expression levels of HTRA2 were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and WB,respectively.After induction of mtUPR in HTRA2-KD SH-SY5Y cells with 400 μmol/L MPP?,cell viability and protein expression levels of HTRA2,YME1L1,CLPP,and LONP were evaluated using the CCK-8 assay and WB,respectively.Results mtUPR cell model was successfully established following treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with 400 μmol/L MPP+for 24 hours.Compared to the control group,there was no significant change in cell viability.Under electron microscopy,there were no remarkable alterations in the mitochondrial cristae and size in the mtUPR group.The average fluorescence intensity of ROS in the mtUPR group was 1.25±0.08 fold that of the PBS group,and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.001).The expression levels of CHOP,HSPE1,HTRA2,CLPP,and LONP were significantly higher in the mtUPR group than in the control group,which were 2.68±0.94、2.83±0.89、1.67±0.20,1.65±0.28,and 1.66±0.13 times that of control group,respectively(all P<0.05).The expression level of YME1L1 in the mtUPR group was 1.28±0.27 times that of the control group,with no statistical significance(P>0.05).After knockdown of the HTRA2 gene in SH-SY5Y cells,the expression levels of CLPP,YME1L1,and LONP1 increased to 1.46±0.79,1.41±0.12,and 1.32±0.25 times that of the empty virus group,respectively(all P<0.05).Following treatment with 400 μmol/L MPP+for 24 hours in HTRA2-KD SH-SY5Y cells,cell viability in HTRA2-KD group decreased to 88.4%±6.1%of the empty virus group(P<0.05).In the HTRA2 group,there were no significant changes in the expression levels of YME1L1 and LONP1 compared to the empty virus group(all P>0.05),while the expression level of CLPP increased to(1.88±0.62)times that of the empty virus group(P=0.033).Conclusion HTRA2 is an important mitochondrial protease in the MPP+-induced mtUPR response,and other mitochondrial proteases partially compensate for the function of HTRA2.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the treatment of acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill neonates.Methods:It was a retrospective study. The baseline characteristic data, PD protocols, PD catheter placement methods and clinical outcomes of AKI neonates who underwent PD in the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University between July 2015 and December 2024 were collected and analyzed.Results:(1) Among the 8 neonates with AKI, gestational age was (30.38±6.02) weeks, and birth weight was 1 397.5 (839.0, 2 312.5) g, with 6 premature infants. The time from birth to AKI onset was 144 (48, 294) hours. The leading cause of AKI was sepsis (6/8). The treatment time of PD was (93.12±37.20) hours. (2) Renal function recovery: After PD treatment, urine output was significantly increased ( Z=-3.29, P<0.001), and serum creatinine was significantly decreased ( t=2.66, P=0.032). (3) Hyperkalemia: Six out of 8 patients presented with hyperkalemia, which significantly decreased after PD treatment ( t=3.37, P=0.008). (4) Acid-base balance:Five out of 8 neonates had metabolic acidosis, and 3 of 5 neonates achieved basically complete correction (including lactic acidosis). There was no statistically significant difference in acid-base balance indicators before and after PD treatment (all P>0.05). (5) PD-related complications: Two out of 8 patients experienced peritoneal dialysate leakage, and no other PD-related complications occurred. (6) Outcomes: The hospital stay was 27.0 (8.0, 57.5) days. Four out of 8 neonates survived, while the other 4 neonates died after withdrawal of treatment. The primary cause was multiple organ failure. Conclusions:PD is a safe and effective treatment for neonatal AKI, facilitating early renal recovery and correction of electrolyte and acid-base imbalances.

OBJECTIVES: Verrucous epidermal nevus (VEN), seborrheic keratosis (SK), verruca plana (VP), verruca vulgaris (VV), and nevus sebaceous (NS) are common verrucous proliferative skin diseases with similar clinical appearances, often posing diagnostic challenges. Dermoscopy and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) can aid in their differentiation, yet their specific features under these tools have not been systematically described. This study aims to summarize and analyze the dermoscopic and RCM features of VEN, SK, VP, VV, and NS. METHODS: A total of 121 patients with histopathologically confirmed verrucous proliferative skin diseases were enrolled. Dermoscopy and RCM imaging was used to observe and analyze the microscopic features of these conditions. RESULTS: Under dermoscopy, the 5 diseases displayed distinct characteristics: VEN typically showed gyriform structures; SK was characterized by gyriform structures, comedo-like openings, and milia-like cysts; VP and VV featured dotted vessels and frogspawn-like structures; NS presented as brownish-yellow globules. RCM revealed shared features such as hyperkeratosis and acanthosis across all 5 diseases. Specific features included gyriform structures and elongated rete ridges in VEN; pseudocysts and gyriform structures in SK; evenly distributed ring-like structures in VP; vacuolated cells and papillomatous proliferation in VV; and frogspawn-like structures in NS. CONCLUSIONS These 5 verrucous proliferative skin conditions exhibit distinguishable features under both dermoscopy and RCM. The combination of these 2 noninvasive imaging modalities holds significant clinical value for the differential diagnosis of verrucous proliferative skin diseases.
Humans ; Dermoscopy/methods* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Microscopy, Confocal/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Adolescent ; Keratosis, Seborrheic/pathology* ; Young Adult ; Warts/diagnosis* ; Child ; Aged ; Skin Diseases/pathology* ; Nevus, Sebaceous of Jadassohn/diagnosis* ; Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Child, Preschool

Hypoxemia is a common pathological state characterized by low oxygen saturation in the blood. This condition compromises mucosal barrier integrity particularly in the gut and oral cavity. However, the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. This study used periodontitis as a model to investigate the role of platelet activation in oral mucosal immunopathology under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia upregulated methyltransferase-like protein 4 (METTL4) expression in platelets, resulting in N⁶-methyladenine modification of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This modification impaired mitochondrial transcriptional factor A-dependent cytosolic mtDNA degradation, leading to cytosolic mtDNA accumulation. Excess cytosolic mt-DNA aberrantly activated the cGAS-STING pathway in platelets. This resulted in excessive platelet activation and neutrophil extracellular trap formation that ultimately exacerbated periodontitis. Targeting platelet METTL4 and its downstream pathways offers a potential strategy for managing oral mucosa immunopathology. Further research is needed to examine its broader implications for mucosal inflammation under hypoxic conditions.
DNA, Mitochondrial/metabolism* ; Mouth Mucosa/pathology* ; Hypoxia/immunology* ; Methyltransferases/metabolism* ; Blood Platelets/metabolism* ; Animals ; Periodontitis/immunology* ; Humans ; Platelet Activation ; Mice