Healthy dental pulp is essential for preserving teeth and maintaining their normal function. Vital pulp therapy (VPT) is widely used in clinical applications because it aims to preserve vital pulp and enhance the long-term survival of teeth. An accurate diagnosis of pulp vitality is a prerequisite for successful VPT. However, accurately assessing pulp viability remains challenging in clinical practice. Pulp viability is influenced by various factors, including the type of pulp exposure, caries status, periodontitis, trauma, treatment factors, patient age, and individual differences. Assessing pulp viability requires a comprehensive consideration of medical history and clinical manifestations, along with a combination of various auxiliary methods, such as pulp sensibility tests, pulp blood flow tests, imaging techniques and molecular diagnostics. In the future, the technology for assessing pulp vitality should evolve toward chairside, visualization, and precision techniques, to achieve consistency between clinical and histological diagnoses, thereby providing patients with the most effective treatment.

Objective To investigate the effect of microRNA(miR)-4645-5p on the proliferation,invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of esophageal cancer cells by targeting mucin 16(MUC16)and its mo-lecular mechanism.Methods The expression of miR-4645-5p in esophageal cancer tissues was analyzed online by TCGA database.The expression level of miR-4645-5p in esophageal cancer cell lines was analyzed by fluo-rescent real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR).KYSE-30 cells were transfected with miR-4645-5p mimic and negative control mimic by lipofection technology,and were divided into miR-4645-5p group and control mimic group.The proliferation ability,migration ability and invasion ability of transfected KYSE-30 cells were analyzed by CCK-8 method,scratch test and Transwell test respectively.The target gene of miR-4645-5p was predicted by the bioinformatics website,and the binding of miR-4645-5p to the target gene was detected by the dual-luciferase reporter gene assay.The expression level of MUC16 mR-NA was detected by qPCR,and the protein expression levels of MUC16,transcription factor-1(ZEB-1),zonal atresia protein(ZO-1),tight junction protein-1(Claudin-1)and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)were detected by Western blotting.Results The expression level of miR-4645-5p in esophageal cancer tissues was signifi-cantly lower than that in adjacent tissues(P＜0.01).Compared with HET-1 A,the expression of miR-4645-5p was lower in esophageal cancer cell lines(P＜0.05).After overexpression of miR-4645-5p,the proliferation a-bility of KYSE-30 cells was significantly reduced(P＜0.05),the migration ability was significantly reduced(P＜0.01)and the invasion ability was significantly reduced(P＜0.01).miR-4645-5p targeted and negatively regulated the expression of MUC16 mRNA(P＜0.01).After overexpression of miR-4645-5p,the protein ex-pression levels of MUC16,ZEB-1 and α-SMA were all down-regulated,and the protein expression levels of ZO-1 and Claudin-1 were up-regulated.Conclusion miR-4645-5p regulates the malignant biological behavior of esophageal cancer KYSE-30 cells by targeting MUC16.

BACKGROUND:Some studies have found that local application of alendronate can promote osteogenesis,but less is reported on the process of distraction osteogenesis. OBJECTIVE:To observe the promoting effect of alendronate on rapid mandibular distraction in a rabbit model and explore its possible mechanism. METHODS:Thirty-six male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into groups A,B and C(n=12 per group)after operation and rapid distraction(3-day delay period followed by 3-day distraction at 1.5 mm/12 hours).At the 1st,3rd and 7th days of the consolidation period,animal were injected with 200 μg/kg alendronate in group A and 100 μg/kg alendronate in group B,while those in group C were treated as controls.CT scanning and dual energy X-ray bone mineral density measurement were performed at 4 and 8 weeks of the consolidation period.After the radionuclide scanning was completed at the 4th week,several animals were sacrificed and the samples were collected for western blot assay and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase staining.A three-point bending test was performed after the animals were sacrificed at the 8th week. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:CT results showed that bone formation in the distraction space of group B was significantly better than that in groups A and C.At the 4th week,the bone mineral density in group B was(0.092±0.010)g/cm2,which was 1.26 times higher than that in group A(P＜0.001)and 1.28 times higher than that in group C(P＜0.001).At the 8th week,the bone mineral density in group B was(0.175±0.029)g/cm2,which was 1.38 times higher than that in group A(P＜0.001)and 1.45 times higher than that in group C(P＜0.001).Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase staining showed that the number of osteoclast-like cells in group C were 2.83 times more than that in group A(P＜0.001)and 2.21 times more than that in group B(P＜0.001).The radionuclide intensity was higher in group C than in groups A and B.Western blot assay results showed that the expression of Runx2 was significantly stronger in group B than in groups A and C.The maximum biomechanical load in group B was(158.48±23.21)N,which was 1.26 times higher than that in group A(P=0.007)and 1.31 times higher than that in group C(P=0.003).To conclude,the low concentration of alendronate may promote rapid distraction osteogenesis of the rabbit mandible by inhibiting osteoclast signals.

Objective : To investigate the activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway molecules during the process by which kaempferol (Kae) promotes osteogenic differentiation of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal cells (BMMCs) under cyclic and uniaxial tension. Methods : BMMCs isolated and cultured in vitro were subjected to uniaxial dynamic tension with a 10% shape variable. The appropriate concentration of Kae was selected by cytotoxicity testing. The endogenous mTOR signal was inhibited by pp242. Four hours after traction, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OCN) were detected by chemical colorimetry and ELISA, and the relative concentration of intracellular calcium was detected by flow cytometry. Phosphorylation of mTOR, 4E/BP1, and ribosomal protein S6 kinases (S6K), which are the main molecules of the endogenous mTORC1 signaling pathway, and expression of osteogenic transcription factors (Runx2 and Osterix) were detected by western blotting (WB), and mRNA expression levels of the above factors were detected by qRT-PCR. Results : The cytotoxicity test showed that 10 μmol/L Kae had little inhibitory effect on cell proliferation but had the strongest osteogenic ability. Four hours after stretching, Kae effectively promoted the osteogenic differentiation of BMMCs. The expression of ALP was （153.04 ± 18.72） U/mg, the expression of OCN was （1.64 ± 0.25） U. The mRNA and protein levels of Runx2 and Osterix were upregulated, and the intracellular calcium content was decreased. The mRNA and protein phosphorylation of mTOR and S6K was upregulated, and the opposite effect was observed with 4E/BP1. After pp242 was added to inhibit mTOR signaling, mTOR and S6K mRNA and protein phosphorylation were downregulated, but 4E/BP1 mRNA and protein phosphorylation was upregulated. The osteogenic differentiation of BMMCs was also significantly inhibited, mRNA and protein expression of Runx2 and Osterix were significantly downregulated, ALP and OCN expression were downregulated, and intracellular calcium content was increased. Conclusion Kae promotes osteogenic differentiation of mouse BMMCs under uniaxial dynamic tension through the mTORC1 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE：To study the effects of couplet medicine of Rheum p almatum-Salvia miltiorrhiza on the contents of enterogenous urotoxin and intestinal barrier function in chronic renal failure （CRF）model rats. METHODS ：Totally 55 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham operation group （10 rats）and modeling group （45 rats）. In sham operation group ，the kidneys were isolated but not removed ；CRF model was reproduced by 5/6 nephrectomy in modeling group. After modeling （excluding 5 dead and non-modeling rats ），modeling rats were divided into model group （water），Niaoduqing granules group （2.5 g/kg），couplet medicine of R. palmatum -S. miltiorrhiza groups（6，3 g/kg，by crude drug ），with 10 rats in each group. Sham operation group and model group were given constant volume of water intragastrically. Administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically ，once a day ，for consecutive 12 weeks. After last administration ，the contents of creatinine （Scr）and urea nitrogen（BUN）in serum ，the content of urinary creatinine （Ucr） in urine were determined by automatic biochemical analyzer；creatinine clearance rate （Ccr）was calculated. The contents of enterogenous urotoxin [trimethylamine-N-oxide （TMAO），indoxyl sulfate （IS）and p-cresyl sulphate （PCS）] were determined by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Real-time RT-PCR and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of Occludin and ZO-1 in the ileum tissue. HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathologi cal changes of renal tissue. The ultrastructural changes of rat colon were observed by transmission electron microscope. RESULTS ：Compared with sham operation group ，serum contents of Scr，BUN，TMAO，PCS and IS were increased significantly in model group （P＜0.01），while urine content of Ucr ，Ccr，mRNA and protein expression of Occludin and ZO- 1 in ileum tissue were decreased significantly （P＜0.01）；renal glomerulosclerosis ， renal tubules dilation and inflammatory invasion and fibrosisin the interstitium were all found ；the intestinal epithelial barrier structure of colon tissue was severely damaged. Compared with model group ，serum contents of Scr ，BUN，TMAO，PCS and IS were decreased significantly in administration groups （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）；the mRNA and protein expression of Occludin and ZO-1 in the ileum tissue were increased significantly （except for mRNA expression of ZO- 1 in R. palmatum -S. miltiorrhiza low-dose group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）；the infiltration of inflammatory cells in renal interstitium ，the degree of fibrosis and the damage of intestinal epithelial barrier structure in colon tissue were reduced. CONCLUSIONS ：Couplet medicine of R. palmatum -S. miltiorrhiza can effectively protect the residual renal function of CRF model rats ，the mechanism of which may be associated with reducing the serum contents of enterogenous urotoxin ，up-regulating mRNA and protein expresssion of Occludin and ZO- 1 in the ileum tissue so as to improve intestinal barrier function.

Objective To investigate the status of disease perception and empirical avoidance in patients with breast cancer surgery, and to analyze the correlation between them. Methods A total of 100 cases of breast cancer patients in the breast surgery department of Qingdao Municipal Hospital from June 2015 to October 2016 were selected by convenience sampling method and investigated with Perceived Benefits of Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer (PB-DT-BC) and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-2nd Edition (AAQ-Ⅱ). Pearson correlation analysis was adopted to analyze the correlation between the disease perception and empirical avoidance. Results The total score of PB-DT-BC of the patients with breast cancer was (2.40±0.36), which was at a moderate level. The total score of empirical avoidance was (5.57±0.60), which was at a moderate to upper level. It showed a negative correlation between the disease perception and empirical avoidance (r=-0.675,P<0.05). Conclusions The perceived benefits of disease in patients with breast cancer surgery is low, which is closely related to the empirical avoidance. Improving the perceived benefits of disease can decrease the empirical avoidance in patients.

Objective The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)has increased dramatically in the past years.Parents of children with ASD usually experience a variety of chronic and acute stressors that may decrease marital satisfaction and family functioning.The aim was to explore the characteristics of parental per-sonality,mood disorders and family functions of the Children with ASD and to explore the relevance factors in order to draw out methods to improve parental family functions.Methods A cross -sectional survey was conducted and 593 outpatients with ASD diagnosed in Shanghai Mental Health Center,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine form January 201 0 to January 201 4 were straight into the group,their parents were tested by Family Assessment Device (FAD),Zung Self -Rating Depression Scale(SDS),Zung Self -Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire(EPQ).SPSS 1 7.0 software was adopted to establish the database and statistical analysis.Results Ac-cording to FAD,parents of children with ASD had lower scores in problem solving[(2.1 0 ±0.37)scores]and roles [(2.09 ±0.27)scores](t =-6.669,P =0.000;t =-1 8.707,P =0.000)than the standard scores,while other di-mensions score were significantly higher than the standard scores in communicdtion[(2.25 ±0.35)scores],emotional reaction[(2.38 ±0.40)scores],emotional involvement[(2.36 ±0.37)scores],behavioral control[(2.31 ±0.27) scores]and general function[(2.1 2 ±0.38)scores],there were significant differences(t =3.1 35,1 1 .1 1 5,1 6.997, 37.1 1 6,8.064;P =0.002,0.000,0.000,0.000,0.000).For EPQ of parents,mother had obviously higher scores than father in psychoticism scale[(53.68 ±1 .36)scores vs (52.65 ±1 .1 7)scores,t =-1 3.841 ,P =0.000],and signifi-cantly lower scores in Lie scale[(52.27 ±0.79)scores vs (52.1 7 ±0.75)scores,t =2.449,P =0.01 4].Compared to fathers,mothers were coded as higher depression and anxiety scores(t =-6.276,-6.440,all P =0.000)and higher prevalence rate(χ2 =1 5.893,27.592,all P =0.000),which were statistically significant.According to the asso-ciation study of FAD and the others(especially in mood of parents),it was found that several dimensions showed obvious correlation.Conclusions Parents of children with ASD have family function damaged badly,except for prob-lem solving and roles.The parents showed different personality traits and mood disorders,particularly mothers′mood disorder problem was prominent.Parental family functioning were closely related to their personality traits and emotional disorders in various dimensionalities,which was worthy of attention.

Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of amlodipine (A)/hydrochlorothiazide(H) versus val‐sartan(V)/hydrochlorothiazide(H) in treatment of essential hypertension .Methods Literature was retrieved online in Cochrane Li‐brary ,PubMed ,OVID ,MEDLINE ,EMBASE ,CBM ,CNKI ,VIP and Wan fang database up to November 2013 .Relevant magazines were retrieved manually .Quality of the included studies was assessed and Meta‐analysis was performed with RevMan 5 .2 software . Results Seven randomized controlled trials(RCTs) were finally included .Meta‐analyses showed that :in terms of lowering ABP ,V/H group was more effective than A/H group ,the difference was statistically significant (P<0 .05);there was no significant differ‐ence in the decreased value of clinic BP and the control rate of blood pressure between A /H group and V/H group(P>0 .05) .Ad‐verse events occurred less frequently with V/H group compared with A/H group ,the difference was statistically significant (P<0 .05) .Conclusion A/H treatment of essential hypertension is inferior to V/H ,and has more adverse events .

Objective To evaluate the effects of ultrasonic scalpel and traditional electrocautery on postoperative complications in axillary dissection for breast cancer treatment.Methods The clinical data of 92 breast cancer patients with axillary dissection were analyzed retrospectively.The surgical proce-dures were randomly chosen by patients,including 37 cases with ultrasonic scalpel and 55 cases with elec-trocautery.Both groups were compared in operation time,number of harvested lymph nodes,postoperative drainage in 24 h,seroma formation rate,and drain removal time.Results There were no significant differ-ences in operation time[(148.2 ±30.4)min vs(143.5 ±40.8)min],number of harvested lymph nodes (17 nodes vs 16 nodes),and drain removal time[(16.0 ±5.3)d vs(16.7 ±4.4)d]between ultrasonic scalpel group and electrocautery group(P >0.05 ).There were significant differences in postoperative drainage [(118.8 ±65.8)ml vs(159.2 ±71.3)ml]and seroma formation rate(8.1% vs 20%)between ultrasonic scalpel group and electrocautery group(P <0.01).Conclusion For breast cancer,ultrasonic scalpel is similar to electrocautery in axillary dissection,but it can reduce postoperative complications.

Objective To introduce small group learning in the course of introduction to gen-eral practice to cultivate students' ability of active learning and innovation. Methods Totally 221 students of 2008 grade A and B classes were enrolled as teaching objects and were divided into 20 groups. Introduction to general practice was used as learning materials. One week before the class, teacher gave students learning task and A and B classes carried on class discussion respectively. Re-view speaking was conducted by the representatives of groups. Effectiveness was evaluated through the observation,interview,questionnaire survey and answer scoring points. Results Overall support per-centage to small group learning was 91%. Percentages of students who believed that small group learn-ing was beneficial to cultivating the ability of active learning and innovation were 88% and 73% re-spectively. Conclusions Introducing small group learning in the course of introduction to general practice is effective and conductive to training students' ability to study and innovate.