Objective: To assess the effect of 12-year-old children s pit and fissure sealants on the health of first permanent molars, so as to provide evidence for optimizing caries prevention strategies among children. Methods: In March 2025, a cluster random sampling method was used to conduct oral examinations on 965 students aged 12 from Chengdu s 2021 Comprehensive Intervention Program for Pediatric Oral Diseases. Data from the Comprehensive Intervention System for Children s Oral Diseases were referenced. Participants were divided into a sealed group ( n =755) and an unsealed group ( n =210) based on whether they had received sealants on their first permanent molars. Chi square test or analysis of variance were used to compare indicators such as caries incidence, new caries detection rate, and new caries mean (DMFT increment) between the two groups Results: The sealed group showed significantly lower caries incidence, new caries detection rate, and new caries mean (33.38%, 17.65%, 0.59±1.00) compared to the unsealed group (43.81%, 24.70%, 0.87±1.22)( χ 2/F =7.79, 18.26, 9.55, all P <0.05). However, no significant difference was found in the filled teeth ratio between the two groups (20.38% , 20.16%; χ 2=0.01, P =0.94). In girls, the sealed group exhibited significantly lower caries incidence, new caries detection rate, and new caries mean (36.78%, 20.99%, 0.69± 1.10 ) than the unsealed group (57.55%, 33.52%, 1.15±1.29) ( χ 2/F =14.42, 23.76, 10.92, all P <0.05), whereas no significant differences were observed between boys in the sealed (30.47%, 14.85%, 0.50±0.89) and unsealed groups (29.81%, 16.18%, 0.59± 1.08) ( χ 2/F =0.02, 0.41, 0.74, all P >0.05). Boys had significantly lower new caries detection rates and new caries means than girls in both groups ( χ 2/F =16.20, 6.94; 29.93, 11.84, all P <0.05). In urban areas, the sealed group had lower new caries detection rates and new caries means (19.37%, 0.68±1.04) than the unsealed group (24.66%, 0.90±1.20) ( χ 2/F =6.86, 3.94, both P <0.05). In suburban areas, all indicators for the sealed group (24.71%, 13.77%, 0.42±0.87) were significantly lower than those for the unsealed group (38.81%, 24.77%, 0.82±1.28) ( χ 2/F =5.28, 15.36, 6.00, all P <0.05). Indicators from specialized dental institutions (11.25%, 4.81%, 0.16±0.56) were significantly lower than those from county level or above general hospitals (33.33%, 19.11%, 0.38±1.00) and primary healthcare institutions (37.59%, 19.24%, 0.67±1.05) ( χ 2/F =20.99, 34.31, 21.08 , all P <0.01). Conclusions The 12-year-old children s pit and fissure sealants effectively reduce the caries incidence in first permanent molars, particularly showing significant effectiveness in girls and suburban children. Intervention strategies should be optimized according to gender.

Objective To explore the construction of heart preservation model of empty beating donor based on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Methods From January 2022 to August 2023, 20 Guangxi Bama miniature pigs weighing 25-30 kg were selected, half male and half female. Under general anesthesia and heparinization, a midline thoracotomy was performed. The pericardium was cut after freeing the anterior and posterior vena cavae, and a perfusion needle was inserted near the brachiocephalic artery in the ascending aorta, connected to a blood collection bag to collect 500-600 mL of blood. The anterior and posterior vena cavae were ligated, the aorta was blocked and perfused with HTK solution to stop the heart beating. The superior and inferior vena cavae were cut off, the right pulmonary vein was decompressed, the aorta and left and right pulmonary arteries and veins were cut off, and the whole heart was removed. An ECMO device was used to continuously perfuse a cardioprotective solution mainly composed of oxygenated warm blood, maintaining the isolated pig heart beating for 8 hours, monitoring (once/hour) ECMO perfusion parameters, blood gas indicators, perfusate electrolytes, inflammatory factors, myocardial enzymes, myoglobin, and troponin levels. Myocardial tissue was taken for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe myocardial cell damage and evaluate the quality of heart preservation. Results Among the 20 isolated beating pig hearts, 17 successfully resumed beating, 3 experienced ventricular fibrillation, resuscitated after intracardiac electrical defibrillation, and all 20 pig hearts successfully beat for 8 hours. There was no statistical difference in ECMO perfusion parameters, blood gas indicators, perfusate electrolytes, and inflammatory factors at each time point (P>0.05). There were statistical increases in myocardial enzymes, myoglobin, and troponin levels (P<0.05). HE staining results suggested that there was no severe myocardial damage. Conclusion ECMO technology can be used for pig heart preservation with good results, and this study provides experimental evidence for improving heart preservation research in clinical heart transplantation.

Background: Adrenocortical hormones, particularly 11-oxygenated androgens, are pivotal in female reproductive health and fertility. Standardized detection kits and population-specific reference intervals are lacking in China, hindering related clinical applications. Methods: A HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) pipeline was developed, rigorously validated, and applied to simultaneously quantify corticosterone, cortisone, cortisol, 18-OH cortisol, androstenedione (A4), 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (11-OH A4), dehydroepiandrosterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in serum samples from 455 reproductive-aged women (18–45 yrs) in Guangxi, China. Age-dependent concentration trends were analyzed, and reference intervals stratified by age (2.5th to 97.5th percentiles) were established. Correlations with body-composition metrics, ethnicity, and the menstrual cycle were investigated. Results: The HPLC-MS/MS method demonstrated high precision (intra- and inter-assay CVs < 15%), accuracy, and sensitivity. All eight hormones exhibited significant age-related declines (P < 0.001 for seven hormones; P = 0.001 for 11-OH A4). Notably, 11-OH A4 levels were significantly lower in the 35–45-yr (3.05 nmol/L) and 25–34-yr (3.09 nmol/L) age groups than in the 18–24-yr (3.57 nmol/L) age group, whereas no significant difference was observed between the 35–45-yr and 25–34-yr age groups. Weak negative correlations were observed between the body mass index and corticosterone and cortisone levels, whereas ethnicity and the menstrual cycle showed no significant associations with hormone levels. Conclusions We developed an HPLC-MS/MS-based method for simultaneously quantifying eight adrenocortical hormones, including 11-OH A4, and defined age-specific reference intervals for reproductive-aged Chinese women. These findings advance the clinical utility of adrenocortical hormones in diagnosing and managing reproductive disorders.

Objective To explore the feasibility of magnetic compression technique (MCR) in the treatment of severe single mid-ureteral stricture in a rabbit model. Methods After 10 female New Zealand rabbits were selected, the distal end of the right ureter was ligated with silk thread. Two weeks after the operation, when the right ureter was dilated, the mid-ureter was ligated again with silk thread to create a severe single mid-ureteral stricture animal model. Longitudinal incisions were made at the upper and lower ends of the ligation site, and cylindrical NdFeB magnets with central holes (sub-magnets and main magnets) were placed to anastomose and recanalize the mid-ureteral stricture. The magnets were adjusted to the appropriate position to automatically align and attract each other. The longitudinal incision sites of the ureter were sutured with 6-0 Prolene thread, and the abdominal cavity was closed layer by layer. The operation time was recorded. X-ray films were taken every two days to confirm the position of the magnets and record the time of magnet detachment. Three weeks after the operation, the anastomotic specimens were obtained, and the formation of the anastomosis was evaluated with gross observation and histological staining. Results Two weeks after ligation, all experimental rabbits showed obvious dilation of the right ureter. The mid-ureteral ligation and placement of the male and female magnets were successfully completed in all 10 experimental rabbits, with an operation time of (24.00±5.15)minutes. The male and female magnets attracted each other well. X-ray examination showed that the magnets detached and entered the distal ureter (14.0±1.9) days after magnetic compression. The recanalization of the severe single mid-ureteral stricture was successfully achieved. The gross specimens and histological examination of the anastomosis showed that the anastomosis remained patent and the mucosal healing was good. All experimental rabbits survived well after the operation without serious complications. Conclusion MCT provides a new idea and novel method for the treatment of mid-ureteral stricture. This study confirmed the feasibility of this technique in treating severe single mid-ureteral stricture in a rabbit model. The operation is relatively simple and has potential for clinical application.

AIM:To investigate the therapeutic effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes(BMSC-Exos)on diabetic retinopathy(DR)in rats, with a focus on their ability to modulate oxidative stress and inflammatory responses through the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.METHODS:Streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1 [normal+phosphate-buffered saline(PBS)], Group 2(normal+Exos), Group 3(DR+PBS), and Group 4(DR+Exos). At the 8th week after modeling, BMSC-Exos or PBS were injected intravitreally. Retinal tissues were collected at the 16th week for histological analysis [hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining], apoptosis detection(TUNEL). Oxidative stress markers [8-OHdG, superoxide dismutase(SOD), and glutathione(GSH)] were assessed, and inflammatory cytokines [enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)for interleukin(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)], and molecular profiling [quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)for TLR4, NF-κB, and VEGF] were measured.RESULTS:The BMSC-Exos treatment significantly suppressed the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway in DR rats(P<0.01), which was accompanied by reduced retinal vascular leakage(Evans blue assay, P<0.001), decreased apoptosis(TUNEL, P<0.05), and attenuated oxidative stress(elevated SOD and GSH, reduced 8-OHdG, P<0.05). The levels of inflammatory cytokines(IL-6 and TNF-α)were markedly decreased(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:BMSC-Exos alleviate DR by suppressing the TLR4/NF-κB axis, thus reducing oxidative damage, inflammation, and microvascular dysfunction. This research offers a novel therapeutic approach for early-stage DR.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanisms through which Si Junzitang （SJZD） ameliorates Alzheimer's disease （AD） induced by scopolamine （SCOP） in mice and the PC12 cell model induced by H₂O₂ based on the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 （Keap1）/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）/heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） signaling pathway. MethodsIn the animal experiments， an AD model was established in mice by intraperitoneal injection of SCOP （3 mg·kg^-1）. Morris water maze and open field tests （OFT） were conducted to assess learning and memory abilities. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Nissl staining were performed to observe pathological changes in neurons. Immunofluorescence was used to detect amyloid β-protein_1-42 （Aβ_1-42） expression， and immunohistochemistry was employed to detect phosphorylated （p）-Tau expression. Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） was employed to observe ultrastructural changes in hippocampal neurons and synapses. Biochemical methods were used to measure the levels of acetylcholine （ACh）， acetylcholinesterase （AChE）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， catalase （CAT）， and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）. Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to measure the mRNA and protein levels of molecules in the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in the hippocampus. In the cell experiments， a PC12 cell model of oxidative damage model was established with H₂O₂. Cell count kit-8 （CCK-8） assays and flow cytometry were adopted to measure cell viability and apoptosis rates， and Western blot was employed to quantify the expression levels of proteins in the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. ResultsThe animal experiments showed that compared with the model group， the SJZD and donepezil groups showed shortened escape latency （P<0.01）， increased time in the target quadrant and platform crossings， and increased movement distance and duration in the central area of the open field （P<0.05， P<0.01）. HE and Nissl staining showed more organized neurons and increased Nissl bodies in the drug intervention groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the Aβ_1-42 and p-Tau expression levels were downregulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. TEM revealed reduced ultrastructural damage in hippocampal neurons and synapses in the drug intervention groups. In addition， the drug intervention groups showed declined levels of MDA， LDH， and AChE （P<0.05， P<0.01）， elevated levels of SOD， CAT， and ACh （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced Keap1 expression and increased Nrf2， HO-1， and NQO1 expression in the hippocampus （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The cell experiments showed that compared with the model group， the SJZD-containing serum increased the cell viability （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and decreased total apoptosis rates （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The drug intervention groups showed upregulated protein levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 and downregulated protein level of Keap1 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionSJZD demonstrates protective effects against SCOP-induced AD in mice and H₂O₂-induced damage in PC12 cells through antioxidant mechanisms mediated by the Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms of Tongmai Yangxin pills （TMYX） and Tongxinluo capsules （TXL） in treating no-reflow （NR） after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion following the concept of treating the same disease with different methods， based on integrative pharmacology and experimental validation. MethodsEighty 8-week-old SPF-grade SD rats were randomly assigned into four groups （n=20）： sham operation， NR， TMYX （4 g·kg^-1）， and TXL （2 mg·kg^-1）. A rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion no-reflow was established by in-situ ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Gastric gavage was first performed 4 h after the operation， and samples were collected on day 7. Thioflavin S staining was used to observe the NR area in rat myocardium. Echocardiography was performed to examine the cardiac function. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was conducted to observe the pathological changes of the myocardial tissue. An automatic biochemical analyzer was adopted to measure myocardial enzyme activity. Then， integrated pharmacology was applied for Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） enrichment analysis. Finally， Western blot was employed to quantify the protein levels of key targets in the myocardial tissue， including soluble guanylyl cyclase （sGC）， cyclic guanosine monophosphate （cGMP）/dependent protein kinase （PKG）， phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （p-PI3K）， phosphorylated protein kinase B （p-Akt）， and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）. ResultsCompared with the sham operation group， the NR group showed increased NR area of myocardium， decreased left ventricular ejection fraction （EF）， left ventricular fractional shortening （FS）， left ventricular outflow tract peak velocity （LVOT Peak）， and left ventricular stroke volume （LVSV） （P<0.01）， fractured and disordered myocardial fibers as well as inflammatory cell infiltration in the myocardial tissue， enhanced activities of creatine kinase （CK）， creatine kinase isoenzyme （CK-MB）， and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） in the myocardial tissue （P<0.01）， and downregulated protein levels of sGC， PKG， phosphorylated （p）-PI3K （Tyr458）， and p-Akt （Tyr315） in the myocardial tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression level of HIF-1α protein showed a downward trend. Compared with the NR group， the TMYX group and TXL group exhibited a decreasing trend in myocardial NR area， EF， FS， and LVOT Peak significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， LVSV showed an upward trend， ameliorated myocardial pathological morphology and inflammatory infiltration， reductions in CK， CK-MB， and LDH activities （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and upregulated protein levels of sGC， PKG， p-PI3K （Tyr458） in myocardial tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， the protein expressions of p-Akt （Tyr315） and HIF-1α showed an upward trend. A comparison of the therapeutic effects between the two compound prescriptions showed that TMYX tended to exert a better effect in restoring cardiac function and protecting cardiac structure in NR rats， whereas TXL was more effective in reducing myocardial NR area and lowering myocardial enzyme activities in NR rats. Integrative pharmacology analysis combined with experimental verification demonstrated that both TMYX and TXL could alleviate NR through the following mechanisms： activating the cyclic cGMP/PKG signaling pathway to regulate vascular tone， activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to dilate blood vessels， and activating the HIF-1 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress. However， TMYX had an advantage in activating the cGMP/PKG pathway， while TXL was superior in activating the PI3K/Akt pathway. The two compound prescriptions exerted comparable effects on the HIF-1 signaling pathway， which might serve as their common therapeutic pathway. ConclusionBoth TMYX and TXL could alleviate NR damage. TMYX exerts its protective effect against NR mainly by activating the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway， while TXL exerts its effect mainly through the PI3K/Akt pathway. The HIF-1α signaling pathway may be a common pathway for the two compound prescriptions to exert their protective effects against NR. This study reveals the similarities and differences between TMYX and TXL in the treatment effect and mechanism for NR， providing an experimental basis and a theoretical basis for better clinical application of the two compound prescriptions.

Objective To investigate the impact of two different surgical methods, orthotopic kidney transplantation and abdominal heterotopic kidney transplantation, on the surgical outcomes of pig-to-pig kidney transplantation and the short-term survival of recipient pigs after surgery. Methods Twenty-four Bama miniature pigs were divided into two groups, with 12 pigs in each group, and underwent orthotopic kidney transplantation and abdominal heterotopic kidney transplantation, respectively. The perioperative indicators of the recipient pigs, renal blood perfusion, the overall incidence rate of complications and survival rate were compared between the two surgical methods. Results The total surgical time, renal artery anastomosis time, renal vein anastomosis time, cold ischemia time and total ischemia time were all shorter in the abdominal heterotopic kidney transplantation group than in the orthotopic kidney transplantation group, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The number of satisfactory renal perfusion cases was higher in the abdominal heterotopic kidney transplantation group than in the orthotopic kidney transplantation group (83% vs. 75%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The total incidence of postoperative complications was 33% in the heterotopic kidney transplantation group, with a survival rate of 92%, and the cause of death was rupture of the vascular anastomosis. The total incidence of postoperative complications was 50% in the orthotopic kidney transplantation group, with a survival rate of 83%, and the causes of death were renal vein thrombosis and renal artery thrombosis. There were no statistically significant differences in the total incidence of postoperative complications and survival rates between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions Compared with orthotopic kidney transplantation, abdominal heterotopic kidney transplantation showes better surgical outcomes in pig-to-pig kidney transplantation and is more beneficial for the short-term survival of recipient pigs after surgery. This provides experience for improving the stability of pig-to-non-human primate kidney xenotransplantation models in the future.

Objective: To evaluate the incremental vaccine effectiveness (VE) of two dose of the mumps containing vaccine (MuCV) in chidren, so as to provide a basis for optimizing mumps immunization strategies. Methods: A 1∶2 frequency matched case-control study was conducted by using reported mumps cases in childcare centers or schools from Lu an, Hefei, Ma anshan and Huainan cities of Anhui Province from September 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, as a case group(383 cases). And healthy children in the same classroom were selected as a control group(766 cases). The MuCV immunization histories of participants were collected to estimate the incremental VE of the second dose of MuCV against mumps. Group comparisons were performed using the Chi square test or t-test. For matched case-control pairs, the Cox regression model was employed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for two dose MuCV vaccination and to estimate the incremental vaccine effectiveness (VE). Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the case and control groups regarding gender, age, dosage of MuCV vaccination and the time interval since the last dose vaccination( χ 2/t=0.05, 0.20, 0.94, -0.02, P >0.05). The proportions of the case and control groups vaccinated with two doses of MuCV were 26.63% and 29.37%, respectively, and the overall incremental VE of the second dose of MuCV was 40.73% (95% CI=3.03%-63.77%, P <0.05). Subgroup analyses revealed that the incremental VE for children with a period of ≥1 year between the two doses of MuCV was 54.13% (95% CI=1.90%-78.56%, P <0.05), while for children with a period of <1 year, it was 30.63% (95% CI=-28.59%-62.58%, P >0.05). The incremental VE of the second dose of MuCV was 30.36% (95% CI=-25.95%-61.50%, P >0.05) in kindergarten children and 66.73% (95% CI=14.92%-86.99%, P <0.05) in elementary and secondary school students. The incremental VE was 28.78% (95% CI=-27.46%-60.21%, P >0.05) within five years of the last dose of MuCV vaccination and 66.07% (95% CI=-41.56%-91.87%, P >0.05) for vaccinations administered beyond five years. Conclusions The second dose of MuCV may offer additional protection for children; however, extending the interval between two dose of MuCV (<1 year) has shown limited incremental protective effects. Therefore, it is crucial to consider optimizing current immunization strategies for mumps.

Objective To investigatethe relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and clinicopathological characteristics, p53 expression, and survival of Chinese patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma. Methods A total of 3882 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, 970 matched patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and 970 matched patients with gastric cardia adenocarcinoma were included to compare the incidence of GERD symptoms. Patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma were divided into two groups according to the presence and absence of GERD symptoms. The differences in clinicopathological characteristics and p53 expression between the two groups were compared by chi-square test, and the differences in survival between the two groups were compared by landmark analysis. Results The incidence of GERD symptoms increased successively in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma. In patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma, the proportions of male, less than 65 years old, lower thoracic tumors, tumors without squamous cell carcinoma, poorly differentiation, early tumors (stage 0-I), and p53-positive tumors in the group with GERD symptoms were higher than those in the group without GERD symptoms; moreover, the long-term survival (≥15 years) was better. Conclusion GERD symptom is an important clinical sign of esophageal adenocarcinoma. It is closely related to specific clinicopathological characteristics, p53 overexpression, and good long-term prognosis.