Objective: To fabricate a hydrogel loaded with inositol hexaphosphate-zinc and preliminarily evaluate its performance in self-mineralization and osteoinduction, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the development of bone regeneration materials. Methods: The hydrogel framework (designated DF0) was formed by copolymerizing methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride and four-armed poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate, followed by sequentially loading inositol hexaphosphate anions via electrostatic interaction and zinc ions via chelation. The hydrogel loaded only with inositol hexaphosphate anions was named DF1, while the co-loaded hydrogel was named DF2. The self-mineralization efficacy of the DF0 , DF1 and DF2 hydrogels was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The biocompatibility was assessed via live/dead cell staining and a CCK-8 assay. The osteoinductive capacity of the DF0 , DF1 and DF2 hydrogels on MC3T3-E1 cells was assessed via alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining. In the aforementioned cell experiments, cells cultured in standard medium served as the control group Results: The DF0, DF1, and DF2 hydrogels were successfully synthesized. Notably, DF1 and DF2 exhibited distinct self-mineralization within 6 days. Results from TEM, EDS, and SAED confirmed that the mineralization products were amorphous calcium phosphate in group DF1, and amorphous calciumzinc phosphate in group DF2. Biocompatibility tests revealed that none of the hydrogels (DF0, DF1, and DF2) adversely affected cell viability or proliferation. In osteogenic induction experiments, both ALP and ARS staining were intensified in the DF1 and DF2 groups, with the most profound staining observed in the DF2 group. Conclusion The developed inositol hexaphosphate-zinc hydrogel (DF2) demonstrates the dual capacity to generate calcium-phosphate compounds through self-mineralization while exhibiting excellent osteoinductive properties. This biocompatible, dual-promoting osteogenic hydrogel presents a novel strategy for bone regeneration.

Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans ; Dental Cementum/injuries* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tooth Fractures/therapy*

Gene regulation relies on the precise binding of transcription factors (TFs) at regulatory elements, but simultaneously detecting hundreds of TFs on chromatin is challenging. We developed cFOOT-seq, a cytosine deaminase-based TF footprinting assay, for high-resolution, quantitative genome-wide assessment of TF binding in both open and closed chromatin regions, even with small cell numbers. By utilizing the dsDNA deaminase SsdAtox, cFOOT-seq converts accessible cytosines to uracil while preserving genomic integrity, making it compatible with techniques like ATAC-seq for sensitive and cost-effective detection of TF occupancy at the single-molecule and single-cell level. Our approach enables the delineation of TF footprints, quantification of occupancy, and examination of chromatin influences on TF binding. Notably, cFOOT-seq, combined with FootTrack analysis, enables de novo prediction of TF binding sites and tracking of TF occupancy dynamics. We demonstrate its application in capturing cell type-specific TFs, analyzing TF dynamics during reprogramming, and revealing TF dependencies on chromatin remodelers. Overall, cFOOT-seq represents a robust approach for investigating the genome-wide dynamics of TF occupancy and elucidating the cis-regulatory architecture underlying gene regulation.
Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Humans ; Chromatin/genetics* ; Animals ; Binding Sites ; Mice ; DNA Footprinting/methods*

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical course and explore the risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 RNA negative conversion duration （NCD） in asymptomatic and mild-symptomatic patients infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. MethodsClinical data were collected from 244 confirmed cases of corona virus disease （COVID-19） with Omicron variant infection admitted to a temporal makeshift hospital in Shanghai from April 9， 2022 to May 20， 2022. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed， with a primary focus on the time of COVID-19 nucleic acid conversion. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to determine identify risk factors associated with NCD. ResultsThe median duration of negative RNA conversion was 9 days （ranged 7‒12 days）. The percentage of patients with positive nucleic acid results on the 5th， 7th， 10th， and 14th days after confirmed infection was 68.4%， 47.1%， 20.1%， and 5.7%， respectively. Kaplan-Meier curves indicated a median nucleic acid conversion time of 12 days （ranged 10‒14 days） for patients with hypertension， 9 days （ranged 7‒11 days） in patients without hypertension， and 11 days （ranged 9‒13 days） for patients aged ≥60 years， and 9 days （ranged 7‒11 days） for patients aged <60 years. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that only hypertension was an independent risk factor of NCD （RR=1.60； 95% CI： 1.03‒2.49， P=0.036）. ConclusionIn asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients infected with the Omicron variant， 20.1% patients continue to exhibit positive viral nucleic acid on the 10^th days of infection. The independent risk factor associated with the conversion of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid to negative is hypertension.

OBJECTIVE To compare the anti-oxidative effects of "three decoctions for COVID-19" (Qingfei Paidu decoction, Huashi Baidu decoction, Xuanfei Baidu decoction) in parallel experimental models. METHODS In the cell-free system, the total antioxidant capacity was investigated by FRAP method. The scavenging effects of DPPH radicals and superoxide anions were evaluated by DPPH and NBT reduction method, respectively. The scavenging effect of hydroxyl radicals was determined by a fluorescence method based on the end-product MDA. The anti-lipid peroxidation activity was investigated using the FeSO4-induced rat liver homogenate MDA method. Based on these five antioxidant indicators, the antioxidant capabilities of the extracts of three decoctions were parallelly compared in the cell-free system. Furthermore, in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW264.7 cells, the productions of intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species(ROS) were detected using the L-012 probe and the MitoSOX mitochondrial superoxide red fluorescence probe, respectively; and intracellular NADPH oxidase activity was measured using the lucigenin probe. These three indicators were used to parallelly compare the antioxidant capabilities of the extracts of three decoctions. RESULTS In the cell-free system, three decoctions for COVID-19 could concentration-dependently scavenge DPPH radicals, superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals, and potently inhibit the lipid peroxidation. At the equal extract concentration, their scavenging effects on DPPH radicals and superoxide anions and the total antioxidant capacity were comparable; while Huashi Baidu decoction exhibited the strongest ability to scavenge hydroxyl radicals and inhibit lipid peroxidation. In the cell system, three decoctions could reduce lipopolysaccharide-elevated intracellular ROS level by weakening NADPH oxidase activity; meanwhile, they could decrease mitochondrial ROS productions, among which Qingfei Paidu decoction possessed the most comprehensive effection. CONCLUSION Collectively, three decoctions for COVID-19 exert diverse antioxidant effects in both cell-free and cell systems, and each of them possesses the distinct advantages. Given that oxidative stress is pivotal during the pathological process of COVID-19, the results may suggest that the antioxidant ability of three decoctions is one of the pharmacodynamic basis for their clinical use.

Performance appraisal of public hospitals have given a guidance for the development of public hospitals at all levels.A Class A tertiary hospital reviewed the problems in the development of the hospital at the present stage and focused on the following four aspects:①insufficient fine management;②No clear orientation of discipline development;③The bottleneck of the improvement of medical operation efficiency;④New challenges in the reform of payment mode.The tertiary hospital launched a fine management practice in May 2022,in order to solve the problems by taking the Department of Surgery as a pilot area,laying the foundation for fine management through information system construction,improving the efficiency of medical operation through management process optimization,improving the overall competitiveness of disciplines through the construction of sub-specialty and Discipline Alliance and adjusting the performance appraisal index system to play the role of performance incentives.The measures effectively improve the overall capacity and efficiency of hospital medical services and help the hospital to achieve high-quality development.

Objective To observe the value of intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics features of apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)for predicting prognosis of children with medulloblastoma(MB).Methods Data of 74 children with MB were retrospectively analyzed.The children were divided into progression group(n=29)or non-progression group(n=45)according to results of 2-year follow-up,also into training set(n=44)or validation set(n=30)at the ratio of 6∶4.The intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics features were extracted and screened based on ADC images.The intratumoral,peritumoralas well as intratumoral+peritumoral radiomics models were established,and 3 combination models were constructed combining with clinical and conventional imaging features.The predictive efficiency were compared between each 2 combination models.Results In training set,the area under the curve(AUC)of clinical-conventional imaging-peritumoral radiomics model and clinical-conventional imaging-intratumoral+peritumoral radiomics model were both larger than that of peritumoral radiomics models(both P＜0.05).In validation set,AUC of clinical-conventional imaging-intratumoral+peritumoral radiomics model was the largest,but no significant difference of AUC was found among 3 combination models(all P＞0.05).Conclusion The intratumoral and peritumoral ADC radiomics features could be used to predict prognosis of MB children.Combining with clinical and conventional imaging features might improve the efficiency of prediction.

Objective To investigate the characteristics of oral and laryngeal diadochokinesis abilities and the developmental patterns of coordinated vocal fold movements in preschool children aged 3～6 years.Methods Sixty-one normal preschool children aged 3～6 years were selected to measure their maximum phonation time(MPT),as well as two types of acoustic parameters of oral and laryngeal diadochokinesis ability movements,including the as-sessment of one trisyllabic/pataka/diadochokinesis ability rate and four monosyllabic/?a/,/ha/,/?A/,/hA/la-ryngeal diadochokinesis ability rates.Results Diadochokinesis ability(DDK)and laryngeal diadochokinesis ability(LDDK)rates increased with age in preschool children aged 3～6 years,showing highly significant differences(P＜0.01).The growth rate of children's LDDK rates at age 4～5 years was the maximum within the 3～6 year age range.Children's MPT was highly significantly and positively correlated with DDK and LDDK(P＜0.01).The vo-cal fold adduction capacity in laryngeal diadochokinesis ability movements in children of all age groups was greater than vocal fold adduction ability/?a/LDDK＞/ha/LDDK(P＜0.01),/?A/LDDK＞/h∧/LDDK(P＜0.05).Con-clusion Age,MPT,and vocal fold adduction and abduction status had a significant effect on the oral and laryngeal diadochokinesis ability of preschool children aged 3～6 years old.The ages of 4～5 is a critical period for the devel-opment of children's oral and laryngeal diadochokinesis ability.

Objective To investigate the impact of esketamine hydrochloride in combination with ultrasound-guided transverse thoracic muscle plane block on stress response and inflammatory levels in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement under general anesthesia.Methods A total of 120 patients who underwent elective extra-corporeal circulation-supported median open heart valve replacement were selected and randomly assigned into four groups using the random number table method:general anesthesia alone(Group G),general anesthesia with intrave-nous administration of esketamine(Group E),general anesthesia with transverse thoracic plane block(Group T),and esketamine combined with transverse thoracic muscle plane block(Group ET);each group consisted of 30 cases.Patients in group E and group ET received a continuous infusion of esketamine hydrochloride injection at a rate of 0.2 mg/kg-1?h-1 until the completion of the surgical procedure,while patients in group G and group T received an equivalent volume of saline solution until the completion of the surgical procedure.After the induction of general anesthesia,patients in group T and group ET underwent ultrasound-guided bilateral transverse thoracic muscle plane block,while patients in group G and group E did not receive any specific intervention.All four groups received identical protocols for anesthesia induction and maintenance,with self-controlled intravenous analgesic pumps administered to all patients postoperatively.The following time points were recorded:1 day prior to surgery(T0),pre-induction of anesthesia(T1),1 minute post-tracheal intubation(T2),1 minute post-median sternotomy(T3),1 minute prior to initiation of cardiopulmonary circulation(T4),1 minute after cessation of cardiopulmonary circula-tion(T5),1 minute after completion of surgery(T6),1 day post-surgery(T7),2 days post-surgery(T8),and 3 days post-surgery(T9).Mean Arterial Pressure(MAP)and Heart Rate(HR)were continuously monitored from T1 to T6.The levels of blood glucose and lactate were measured and recorded at T1,T4 to T6.The levels of White Blood Cells(WBC)and C-Reactive Protein(CRP)were assessed at T0,as well as at T7 to T9.The occurrence of postoperative adverse reactions was documented in all four groups.Results(1)Comparison of hemodynamics among the four groups:Compared with group G,there was a significant decrease in MAP and HR at T3 in group T(P<0.05).At the T5 time point,MAP was lower in group ET compared to group E,while HR was higher in group ET compared to group T(P<0.05).(2)The lactate and blood glucose levels of the four patient groups after extracorporeal circulation transfer were higher than those at the T1 time point(P<0.05).Patients in group E had lower lactate values at the T5 time point and lower blood glucose values at the T6 time point compared to group G(P<0.05).Additionally,patients in group E exhibited lower lactate and blood glucose values at both the T5 and T6 time points compared to those in group T(P<0.05).(3)Compared to T0,the levels of white blood cells(WBC)and C-reactive protein(CRP)were increased in all four groups after surgery(P<0.05).At the T7 time point,the WBC levels in group E and group T were significantly lower than those in group G(P<0.05).Furthermore,compared to group E and group T,the level of WBC in group ET was significantly lower at T7,while the level of CRP was significantly lower at T8(P<0.05).(4)There were no significant differences observed in postoperative adverse reactions among the four groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Combining low-dose esketamine hydrochloride with transverse thoracic muscle plane block under general anesthesia during open heart valve replacement surgery can effectively stabilize the patient's hemodynamics,mitigate perioperative stress response and postoperative inflammation levels,thereby demonstrating significant clini-cal utility.

Objective:To study the correlation between zinc finger protein A20 (A20) and basic fibroblast growth factor (BFGF) and liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to select 120 patients with chronic hepatitis B diagnosed and treated in the Fifth Hospital of Shijiazhuang City from January 2019 to December 2020, all of whom underwent liver tissue biopsy, and 25 cases of liver pathological specimens who underwent liver hemangioma resection were selected. The correlation between the expression of A20 and BFGF in liver tissue and the stage of hepatic fibrosis and inflammation were analyzed.Results:The expression of A20 in the S1 - S4 phase was higher than that in the S0 phase: (6.12 ± 1.22)%, (10.18 ± 2.43)%, (16.94 ± 5.06)%, (25.99 ± 7.57)% vs. (0.81 ± 0.29)%; the expression of BFGF in the S1 - S4 phase was higher than that in the S0 phase: (6.12 ± 1.22)%, (10.18 ± 2.43)%, (16.94 ± 5.06)%, (25.99 ± 7.57)% vs. (0.81 ± 0.29)%, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The expression of A20 in the G1 - G4 phase was higher than that in the G0 phase: (6.56 ± 1.87)%, (10.01 ± 3.29)%, (15.54 ± 5.01)%, (25.86 ± 8.02)% vs. (0.85 ± 0.71)%; the expression of BFGF in the G1 - G4 phase was higher than that in the G0 phase: (5.91 ± 1.52)%, (9.65 ± 2.48)%, (15.03 ± 4.86)%, (24.62 ± 7.22)% vs. (0.79 ± 0.41)%, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The results of Pearson test showed that there was a positive correlation between liver A20 and BFGF ( r = 0.824, P<0.05). Conclusions:The expressions of A20 and BFGF in liver tissue increase with the aggravation of liver pathological fibrosis and inflammation, which can be used as important indicators to evaluate the severity of liver fibrosis.