BACKGROUND:Chitosan has a place in the biomedical field due to its good biological properties and unique physicochemical properties,especially in tissue engineering and drug delivery with good application prospects.OBJECTIVE:To summarize the research progress of the role of chitosan in the repair and regeneration of oral soft and hard tissues.METHODS:A computerized search of CNKI and PubMed databases was performed with the search terms"chitosan,oral mucosal diseases,periodontal diseases,tissue regeneration,bacteriostatic,drug carrier,wound healing"in Chinese and English.The search time limit was from 2010 to 2024.After screening according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,88 articles were finally included for summary analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Chitosan is a promising biomaterial in bone and pulp regeneration as it has the ability to stimulate the recruitment and adhesion of osteogenic progenitor cells and dental pulp stem cells.Chitosan prevents caries,periodontal disease,and candidiasis by inhibiting Streptococcus pyogenes,Porphyromonas gingivalis,and Candida in the oral cavity.Chitosan nanocomposites have higher stability,better biocompatibility,and slow-release properties of drugs and can be enhanced by combining with other chemical reagents to enhance their anticancer properties.Chitosan possesses drug delivery,antibacterial activity,hemostasis and wound healing,which in turn can block the erosion of wounds by saliva and oral flora,relieve pain,repair and promote wound healing.Chitosan promotes the deposition of calcified material,which is conducive to the remineralisation of enamel and dentin.

BACKGROUND:Chitosan has a place in the biomedical field due to its good biological properties and unique physicochemical properties,especially in tissue engineering and drug delivery with good application prospects.OBJECTIVE:To summarize the research progress of the role of chitosan in the repair and regeneration of oral soft and hard tissues.METHODS:A computerized search of CNKI and PubMed databases was performed with the search terms"chitosan,oral mucosal diseases,periodontal diseases,tissue regeneration,bacteriostatic,drug carrier,wound healing"in Chinese and English.The search time limit was from 2010 to 2024.After screening according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,88 articles were finally included for summary analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Chitosan is a promising biomaterial in bone and pulp regeneration as it has the ability to stimulate the recruitment and adhesion of osteogenic progenitor cells and dental pulp stem cells.Chitosan prevents caries,periodontal disease,and candidiasis by inhibiting Streptococcus pyogenes,Porphyromonas gingivalis,and Candida in the oral cavity.Chitosan nanocomposites have higher stability,better biocompatibility,and slow-release properties of drugs and can be enhanced by combining with other chemical reagents to enhance their anticancer properties.Chitosan possesses drug delivery,antibacterial activity,hemostasis and wound healing,which in turn can block the erosion of wounds by saliva and oral flora,relieve pain,repair and promote wound healing.Chitosan promotes the deposition of calcified material,which is conducive to the remineralisation of enamel and dentin.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of melatonin in alleviating hypoxia-induced apoptosis in ovarian gra-nulosa cells.Methods Rat ovarian granulosa cells were isolated and divided into normoxic,hypoxic,and melatonin groups.Hypoxia-induced injury models were established in the hypoxic and melatonin groups,and granulosa cells in the melatonin group were treated with melatonin.A total of 24 rats were randomized into the control,model,and intervention groups(n=8 per group).Rat models of declining ovarian function induced by long-term hypoxia were established in the model and intervention groups.The rats in the intervention group were intraperitoneally injected with melatonin.Cell proliferation was measured using a CCK-8 assay,and lactate secretion and HIF-1αprotein with a specific kit,respectively.The levels of estradiol and progesterone in the cell supernatant and rat serum were detected using ELISA.Granulosa cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,ovarian morphology by HE staining,and Bax and caspase-3 expression by Western blotting.Results Compared with the normoxic group,the hypoxic group exhibited decreased granulosa cell proliferation,increased apoptosis,elevated lactate and HIF-1α levels,and reduced estradiol and progesterone levels(P＜0.05).Compared with hypoxic group,these changes were significantly reversed in the molatonin group(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the model group showed increased lactate,HIF-1α,Bax,and caspase-3 levels,decreased estradiol and progesterone levels,and reduced follicles.Compared with the model group,all the indicators were ameliorated in the intervention group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Melatonin alleviated hypoxia-induced granulosa cell apoptosis and promoted the recovery of ovarian function.

Objective To investigate the impact of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimula-tion(rTMS)combined with biofeedback-assisted dry swallowing training on treating dysphagia following a stroke.Methods A total of 152 patients with dysphagia after stroke,admitted to the hospital from January 2022 to January 2024,were randomly divided into four groups using a random number table,with 38 cases in each group.The biofeedback group received biofeedback-assisted dry swallowing training,the magnetic stimulation group received high-frequency rTMS on the unaffected side,the combined group received both biofeedback-assisted dry swallowing training and high-frequency rTMS on the unaffected side,and the placebo group received conventional swallowing training and sham rTMS.All interventions lasted for 4 weeks.Clinical efficacy was recorded,and pre-and post-treatment assessments of the upper esophageal sphincter(UES)opening time,opening degree,and pharyngeal contraction duration were performed using multifunctional esophageal manometry.Additionally,swallowing func-tion,nutritional status,neurological function,and quality of life were compared.Results The clinical efficacy of the combined group was higher than that of the biofeedback and magnetic stimulation groups.Post-treatment UES opening time,opening degree,and pharyngeal contraction duration were(205.33±29.01)ms,(1.14±0.34)cm,and(559.19±63.48)ms,respectively,which were significantly better than those in the other 3 groups(P<0.05).The swallowing function scores of the combined group were(6.04±0.83)and(20.03±3.26)points,and significant improvements were observed in swallowing function,nutritional status,neurological function,and quality of life(P<0.05).Conclusion High-frequency rTMS combined with biofeedback-based dry swallowing training signifi-cantly improves the efficacy in the treatment of dysphagia after stroke.

Objective To investigate the impact of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimula-tion(rTMS)combined with biofeedback-assisted dry swallowing training on treating dysphagia following a stroke.Methods A total of 152 patients with dysphagia after stroke,admitted to the hospital from January 2022 to January 2024,were randomly divided into four groups using a random number table,with 38 cases in each group.The biofeedback group received biofeedback-assisted dry swallowing training,the magnetic stimulation group received high-frequency rTMS on the unaffected side,the combined group received both biofeedback-assisted dry swallowing training and high-frequency rTMS on the unaffected side,and the placebo group received conventional swallowing training and sham rTMS.All interventions lasted for 4 weeks.Clinical efficacy was recorded,and pre-and post-treatment assessments of the upper esophageal sphincter(UES)opening time,opening degree,and pharyngeal contraction duration were performed using multifunctional esophageal manometry.Additionally,swallowing func-tion,nutritional status,neurological function,and quality of life were compared.Results The clinical efficacy of the combined group was higher than that of the biofeedback and magnetic stimulation groups.Post-treatment UES opening time,opening degree,and pharyngeal contraction duration were(205.33±29.01)ms,(1.14±0.34)cm,and(559.19±63.48)ms,respectively,which were significantly better than those in the other 3 groups(P<0.05).The swallowing function scores of the combined group were(6.04±0.83)and(20.03±3.26)points,and significant improvements were observed in swallowing function,nutritional status,neurological function,and quality of life(P<0.05).Conclusion High-frequency rTMS combined with biofeedback-based dry swallowing training signifi-cantly improves the efficacy in the treatment of dysphagia after stroke.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of melatonin in alleviating hypoxia-induced apoptosis in ovarian gra-nulosa cells.Methods Rat ovarian granulosa cells were isolated and divided into normoxic,hypoxic,and melatonin groups.Hypoxia-induced injury models were established in the hypoxic and melatonin groups,and granulosa cells in the melatonin group were treated with melatonin.A total of 24 rats were randomized into the control,model,and intervention groups(n=8 per group).Rat models of declining ovarian function induced by long-term hypoxia were established in the model and intervention groups.The rats in the intervention group were intraperitoneally injected with melatonin.Cell proliferation was measured using a CCK-8 assay,and lactate secretion and HIF-1αprotein with a specific kit,respectively.The levels of estradiol and progesterone in the cell supernatant and rat serum were detected using ELISA.Granulosa cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,ovarian morphology by HE staining,and Bax and caspase-3 expression by Western blotting.Results Compared with the normoxic group,the hypoxic group exhibited decreased granulosa cell proliferation,increased apoptosis,elevated lactate and HIF-1α levels,and reduced estradiol and progesterone levels(P＜0.05).Compared with hypoxic group,these changes were significantly reversed in the molatonin group(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the model group showed increased lactate,HIF-1α,Bax,and caspase-3 levels,decreased estradiol and progesterone levels,and reduced follicles.Compared with the model group,all the indicators were ameliorated in the intervention group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Melatonin alleviated hypoxia-induced granulosa cell apoptosis and promoted the recovery of ovarian function.

The nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a crucial role in the prognosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). WNK1 kinase negatively regulates NLRP3 in various inflammatory conditions, but its role in early brain injury (EBI) after SAH remains unclear. In this study, we used an in vivo SAH model in rats/mice and AAV-WNK1 intraventricular injection to investigate its neuroprotective mechanisms. WNK1 expression was significantly reduced in SAH patient blood and SAH model brain tissue, correlating negatively with microglial activation. AAV-WNK1 alleviated brain edema, neuronal necrosis, behavioral deficits, and inflammation by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In hemin-stimulated BV-2 cells, WNK1 overexpression reduced NLRP3 activation and inflammatory cytokines. Chloride counteracted WNK1's inhibitory effects, and WNK1 suppressed P2X7R-induced NLRP3 activation. Mechanistically, WNK1 functioned via the OXSR1/STK39 pathway. These findings highlight WNK1 as a key regulator of intracellular chloride balance and neuroinflammation, presenting a potential therapeutic target for SAH treatment.
Animals ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/complications* ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Rats ; Mice ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/metabolism* ; WNK Lysine-Deficient Protein Kinase 1/genetics* ; Male ; Humans ; Chlorides/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Brain Injuries/metabolism* ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases

Objective To analyze the factors influencing the deterioration of nutritional status after radiotherapy/radiochemotherapy for esophageal cancer,so as to provide reference for nutritional management during antitumor therapy.Methods A total of 106 patients with esophageal cancer who received radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy at Anqing First People's Hospital of Anhui Medical University from Dec.2017 to Dec.2023 were enrolled.Patients'gender,age,surgical history,timing of radiotherapy intervention,synchronous chemoradiotherapy,radiotherapy dose,clinical stage,initial nutritional status,and performance status score were collected.The patient generated subjective global assessment scale(PG-SGA)scores were monitored before and after antitumor treatment.According to the nutritional status at the beginning of enrollment and at the end of radiotherapy,the patients were assigned to deterioration group or non-deterioration(stable or improved)group.The clinical characteristics of the 2 groups were compared.The factors influencing the deterioration of nutritional status were screened by logistic regression analysis.The correlation between nutritional status deterioration and adverse reactions(radiation esophagitis,pulmonary infection,neutropenia,thrombocytopenia,and elevated aminotransferase)was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis.Results There were no significant differences in gender,radiotherapy dose,initial nutritional status,or performance status score between the 2 groups for the deterioration of nutritional status after radiotherapy(all P＞0.05).The proportions of patients with previous surgical history of esophageal cancer,synchronous chemoradiotherapy,initiation of radiotherapy at less than 90%of target calorie requirement,and clinical stage Ⅳ were significantly higher in the deterioration group than those in the non-deterioration group(all P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that clinical stage Ⅳ(odds ratio[OR]=4.684,95%confidence interval[CI]1.252-17.519,P=0.022)and previous surgical history of esophageal cancer(OR=7.338,95%CI 1.878-28.666,P=0.004)were the independent adverse risk factors for the deterioration of nutritional status after radiotherapy/radiochemotherapy.The timing of radiotherapy intervention was also an independent risk factor for the deterioration of nutritional status,and taking the tolerance of 70%-90%target energy as the reference level,starting radiotherapy when the tolerance of 90%-100%target energy had the optimal protection of nutritional status(OR=0.166,95%CI 0.050-0.551,P=0.003).Spearman correlation analysis showed that the deterioration of nutritional status was positively correlated with elevated transaminases after radiotherapy(rs=0.283,P=0.003),while it was not correlated with the other adverse reactions(all P＞0.05).Conclusion Under the standard nutritional intervention model,patients with previous surgery and recurrent metastatic esophageal cancer who receive radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy are still at risk of nutritional status deterioration.Tolerance to 90%-100%target energy requirement may be a more appropriate timing for radiotherapy intervention.When the nutritional status deteriorates during treatment,it is necessary to be alert to the elevated transaminases.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and associated factors of comorbid obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) coexisting with restless legs syndrome (RLS).Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted, enrolling hospitalized patients diagnosed with OSA or RLS at Peking University Sixth Hospital from June 2015 to May 2023. Participants were divided into three groups: OSA with RLS (comorbid group, n=26), OSA alone ( n=60, RLS-excluding), and RLS alone ( n=45, OSA-excluding). Demographic characteristics, clinical data, laboratory indicators (i.e., hemoglobin, ferritin, serum iron, folate, vitamin B 12, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, fasting glucose), and polysomnography (PSG) parameters were collected. Group differences were analyzed using ANOVA, chi-square tests, and non-parametric tests. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with OSA comorbid RLS. Results:Laboratory analyses revealed that patients in the comorbid group had significantly lower hemoglobin ( P=0.046) and ferritin levels ( P=0.024) than the OSA-alone group. Conversely, serum phosphorus was markedly elevated in the comorbid group compared to both control groups ( F=2.23, P<0.01). Polysomnography test found significantly higher periodic limb movement during sleep index (PLMSI) in the comorbid group vs. OSA-alone group (Dunn-Bonferroni correction P=0.001), reduced minimum oxygen saturation in the comorbid group vs. RLS-alone group (Dunn-Bonferroni correction P<0.001), and increased respiratory-related microarousals in the comorbid group vs. RLS-alone group (Dunn-Bonferroni correction P<0.001). Multivariate analysis adjusted for covariates confirmed that periodic limb movement during sleep index (PLMSI) ( OR=1.04, 95% CI=1.02-1.07, P=0.001) and serum phosphorus ( OR=6.51, 95% CI=1.86-27.40, P=0.003) independently contributed to OSA-RLS comorbidity. Conclusion:The coexistence of OSA and RLS manifests as dual dysregulation in iron-phosphorus metabolism and synchronized respiratory-motor dysfunction. Mechanistically, hypoxia-induced systemic inflammation may serve as a nexus linking metabolic perturbations and sleep fragmentation in this clinical subpopulation, highlighting potential biomarkers for targeted management.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and associated factors of comorbid obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) coexisting with restless legs syndrome (RLS).Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted, enrolling hospitalized patients diagnosed with OSA or RLS at Peking University Sixth Hospital from June 2015 to May 2023. Participants were divided into three groups: OSA with RLS (comorbid group, n=26), OSA alone ( n=60, RLS-excluding), and RLS alone ( n=45, OSA-excluding). Demographic characteristics, clinical data, laboratory indicators (i.e., hemoglobin, ferritin, serum iron, folate, vitamin B 12, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, fasting glucose), and polysomnography (PSG) parameters were collected. Group differences were analyzed using ANOVA, chi-square tests, and non-parametric tests. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with OSA comorbid RLS. Results:Laboratory analyses revealed that patients in the comorbid group had significantly lower hemoglobin ( P=0.046) and ferritin levels ( P=0.024) than the OSA-alone group. Conversely, serum phosphorus was markedly elevated in the comorbid group compared to both control groups ( F=2.23, P<0.01). Polysomnography test found significantly higher periodic limb movement during sleep index (PLMSI) in the comorbid group vs. OSA-alone group (Dunn-Bonferroni correction P=0.001), reduced minimum oxygen saturation in the comorbid group vs. RLS-alone group (Dunn-Bonferroni correction P<0.001), and increased respiratory-related microarousals in the comorbid group vs. RLS-alone group (Dunn-Bonferroni correction P<0.001). Multivariate analysis adjusted for covariates confirmed that periodic limb movement during sleep index (PLMSI) ( OR=1.04, 95% CI=1.02-1.07, P=0.001) and serum phosphorus ( OR=6.51, 95% CI=1.86-27.40, P=0.003) independently contributed to OSA-RLS comorbidity. Conclusion:The coexistence of OSA and RLS manifests as dual dysregulation in iron-phosphorus metabolism and synchronized respiratory-motor dysfunction. Mechanistically, hypoxia-induced systemic inflammation may serve as a nexus linking metabolic perturbations and sleep fragmentation in this clinical subpopulation, highlighting potential biomarkers for targeted management.