During orthodontic treatment, clinical monitoring of patients is a crucial factor in determining treatment success. It aids in timely problem detection and resolution, ensuring adherence to the intended treatment plan. In recent years, digital technology has increasingly permeated orthodontic clinical diagnosis and treatment, facilitating clinical decision-making, treatment planning, and follow-up monitoring. This review summarizes recent advancements in digital technology for monitoring orthodontic tooth movement, related complications, and appliance-wearing compliance. It aims to provide insights for researchers and clinicians to enhance the application of digital technology in orthodontics, improve treatment outcomes, and optimize patient experience. The digitization of diagnostic data and the visualization of dental models make chair-side follow-up monitoring more convenient, accurate, and efficient. At the same time, the emergence of remote monitoring technology allows orthodontists to promptly identify oral health issues in patients and take corresponding measures. Furthermore, the multimodal data fusion method offers valuable insights into the monitoring of the root-alveolar relationship. Artificial intelligence technology has made initial strides in automating the identification of orthodontic tooth movement, associated complications, and patient compliance evaluation. Sensors are effective tools for monitoring patient adherence and providing data-driven support for clinical decision-making. The application of digital technology in orthodontic monitoring holds great promise. However, challenges like technical bottlenecks, ethical considerations, and patient acceptance remain.

The study aims to examine the effects and potential mechanisms of disulfiram (DSF) on cardiac hypertrophic injury, focusing on the role of transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)-mediated pan-apoptosis (PANoptosis). H9C2 cardiomyocytes were treated with angiotensin II (Ang II, 1 µmol/L) to establish an in vitro model of myocardial hypertrophy. DSF (40 µmol/L) was used to treat cardiomyocyte hypertrophic injury models, either along or in combination with the TAK1 inhibitor, 5z-7-oxozeaenol (5z-7, 0.1 µmol/L). We assessed cell damage using propidium iodide (PI) staining, measured cell viability with CCK8 assay, quantified inflammatory factor levels in cell culture media via ELISA, detected TAK1 and RIPK1 binding rates using immunoprecipitation, and analyzed the protein expression levels of key proteins in the TAK1-mediated PANoptosis pathway using Western blot. In addition, the surface area of cardiomyocytes was measured with Phalloidin staining. The results showed that Ang II significantly reduced the cellular viability of H9C2 cardiomyocytes and the binding rate of TAK1 and RIPK1, significantly increased the surface area of H9C2 cardiomyocytes, PI staining positive rate, levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)] in cell culture media and p-TAK1/TAK1 ratio, and significantly up-regulated key proteins in the PANoptosis pathway [pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3, Caspase-1 (p20), and GSDMD-N (p30), apoptosis-related proteins Caspase-3 (p17), Caspase-7 (p20), and Caspase-8 (p18), as well as necroptosis-related proteins p-MLKL, RIPK1, and RIPK3]. DSF significantly reversed the above changes induced by Ang II. Both 5z-7 and exogenous IL-1β weakened these cardioprotective effects of DSF. These results suggest that DSF may alleviate cardiac hypertrophic injury by inhibiting TAK1-mediated PANoptosis.
Animals ; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases/physiology* ; Rats ; Myocytes, Cardiac/pathology* ; Disulfiram/pharmacology* ; Cardiomegaly ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Line ; Angiotensin II ; Necroptosis/drug effects* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Receptor-Interacting Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Lactones ; Resorcinols ; Zearalenone/administration & dosage*

OBJECTIVE: The results of limited studies on the relationship between environmental pollution and dementia have been contradictory. We analyzed the combined effects of PM _2.5 and smoking on the prevalence of dementia and cognitive impairment in an elderly community-dwelling Chinese population. METHODS: We assessed 24,117 individuals along with the annual average PM _2.5 concentrations from 2012 to 2016. Dementia was confirmed in the baseline survey at a qualified clinical facility, and newly suspected dementia was assessed in 2017, after excluding cases of suspected dementia in 2015. National census data were used to weight the sample data to reflect the entire population in China, with multiple logistic regression performed to analyze the combined effects of PM _2.5 and smoking frequency on dementia and cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Individuals exposed to the highest PM _2.5 concentration and smoked daily were at higher risk of dementia than those in the lowest PM _2.5 concentration group ( OR, 1.603; 95% CI [1.626-1.635], P < 0.0001) and in the nonsmoking group ( OR, 1.248; 95% CI [1.244-1.252]; P < 0.0001). Moderate PM _2.5 exposure and occasional smoking together increased the short-term risk of cognitive impairment. High-level PM _2.5 exposure and smoking were associated with an increased risk of dementia, so more efforts are needed to reduce this risk through environmental protection and antismoking campaigns. CONCLUSION High-level PM _2.5 exposure and smoking were associated with an increased risk of dementia. Lowering the ambient PM _2.5, and smoking cessation are recommended to promote health.
Humans ; Dementia/etiology* ; Male ; Aged ; Female ; Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Smoking/epidemiology* ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Prevalence ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

Objective To investigate the mechanism of nootkatone(NKT)in mitigating depression-like behavior caused by blast traumatic brain injury(TBI).Methods The rat bTBI depression-like model was established by simulating the shock wave parameters of blast overpressure(BOP of 60 kPa,90 kPa,and 120 kPa)with a biological shock wave tube.After 14 days of exposure,we evaluated the depression-like behavior of rats using the tail suspension test and forced swimming test.We identified that the BOP(120 kPa)condition caused the most noticeable depressive behavior and used this condition for subsequent experiments.Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,bTBI group(BOP of 120 kPa),and bTBI+NKT group[at 1 d after exposure to BOP of 120 kPa,giving NKT 10 mg/(kg·d)orally for 14 days],10 in each group.After 14 days of exposure,the depression-like behavior of rats was evaluated by tail suspension test and forced swimming test.The expression levels of protein kinase A(PKA),phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate effector binding protein(pCREB),and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in the hippocampus of rat were determined by Western blotting.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the generation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)-labeled neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus(DG).Results BOP of 90 kPa can cause depression-like in rats and BOP of 120 kPa can cause the most noticeable depressive behavior(P<0.05).Therefore,we selected the BOP exposure of 120 kPa for subsequent experiments.After 14 days of BOP exposure,compared with sham operation group,the immobility time of tad suspension test in bTBI group was prolonged(P<0.05),the latency of for ced swimming test was shortened,the immobility time was prolonged(P<0.05),the expression levels of PKA,pCREB and BDNF protein in hippocampus were lowered(P<0.05),and the number of PCNA-labeled neurons in hippocampal DG area was reduced(P<0.05);compared with the bTBI group,the immobility time of tail suspension test in bTBI+NKT group was shortened(P<0.05),the latency of forced swimming test was prolonged,the immobility time was shortened(P<0.05),the expression levels of PKA,pCREB and BDNF protein in hippocampus were increased(P<0.05),and the number of PCNA-labeled neurons in hippocampal DG area was increased(P<0.05).Conclusions Early treatment with NKT can improve depression-like behavior in mild bTBI rats.The mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of the PKA-CREB-BDNF signaling pathway and increased expression levels of pCREB and BDNF in the hippocampus,which results in increased neuron numbers in the DG region of the hippocampus.

Objective To design a pressure reading system for splinting distal radius fractures to enable real-time monitoring of splint fixation pressure.Methods A pressure reading system for splinting distal radius fractures was developed with the components of a main contrl unit,a pressure and temperature acquisition unit and a power management unit.The main control unit had a STC15 series SCM as the main control chip,and the pressure and temperature acquisition unit was realized with a FSR400 thin film pressure sensor and a DS18B20 digital temperature measurement chip.The software of the system was developed with C language.The system developed was used to test the magnitude and distribution of the pressure on the splints by applying loads on the fixation straps at 90°,60° and 30° directions to the willow splint and 3D printing splint,respectively,with the total mass of the loads increased from 600 g to 1 200 g and each test repeated by 6 times.Results The system developed was capable of collecting the pressure values at real time and showed them on the display screen.The maximum pressure always occurred at the the connection between the fixation straps and the edge of the splints and the middle parts of the splints were subject to relatively low pressure in case of different loads,when the fixation straps were 90°,60° and 30° to the willow splint and 3D printing splint respectively.The maximum pressure on the willow splint was(239.17±4.49)g when the fixation strap was 90° to the splint and loaded with 1 200 g;the minimum pressure on the willow splint was(89.83±17.38)g when the fixation strap was 60° to the splint and loaded with 600 g.The maximum pressure on the 3D printing splint was(177.67±21.77)g when the fixation strap was 90° to the splint and loaded with 1 100 g;the minimum pressure was(66.50±3.02)g for the 3D printing splint when the fixation strap was 30° to the splint and loaded with 600 g.Conclusion The ssystem developed can read pressure values of the splint under different loads and angles,and the 3D printing splint behaves better than the willow splint in the evenness of pressure distribution.Theoretical references are provided for quantitative clinical treatment with splint fixation.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(8):44-50]

Objective To investigate the current status and awareness of pharmaceutical services in hospitals in Guizhou province and to provide a reference for exploring and carrying out pharmaceutical service fees.Methods The questionnaire was designed by the"wjx.cn"website.Three kinds of questionnaires were designed for pharmacists,doctors,nurses,and patients as the research objects,with corresponding differences in some questions,and promoted on WeChat,Dingxiangyuan,and other network platforms.Results A total of 655 questionnaires were collected,and 639 valid questionnaires were recovered,with an effective recovery rate of 97.56%.324 pharmacists(50.70%),82 doctors and nurses(12.83%),233 patients(36.46%)were surveyed.The average approval score of these three groups of respondents on pharmaceutical service fees was 4.67,4.23,and 4.22,respectively(full score:5).Conclusions Overall,pharmacists'professional services have received support from medical staff and patients.However,patients'pharmaceutical service projects currently focus on dispensing services.The recognition of pharmacists'work and the public's awareness of pharmaceutical services can be improved by enhancing the professional ability of pharmacists,strengthening publicity and guidance,and exploring"Internet+pharmaceutical services",etc.,to promote the sustainable development of pharmaceutical services.

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous immunotherapy(SCIT)using dust mites in children with allergic asthma.Methods In a prospective randomized controlled study,98 children with dust mite-induced allergic asthma were randomly divided into a control group(n=49)and an SCIT group(n=49).The control group received inhaled corticosteroid treatment,while the SCIT group additionally received a standardized three-year SCIT regimen.The two groups were compared based on peripheral blood eosinophil percentage,visual analogue score(VAS),total medication score,Asthma Control Test/Childhood Asthma Control Test scores,fractional exhaled nitric oxide(FeNO),and lung function before treatment,and at 6 months,1 year,2 years,and 3 years after treatment.Adverse reactions were recorded post-injection to evaluate the safety of SCIT.Results Compared with pre-treatment levels,the SCIT group showed a significant reduction in the percentage of peripheral blood eosinophils,VAS,total medication score,and FeNO,while lung function significantly improved,and asthma control levels were better 3 years after treatment(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the SCIT group showed more significant improvement in all evaluated indicators 3 years after treatment(P<0.05).A total of 2 744 injections were administered,resulting in 157 cases(5.72%)of local adverse reactions and 4 cases(0.15%)of systemic adverse reactions,with no severe systemic adverse events.Conclusions SCIT is an effective and safe treatment for allergic asthma in children.