This study was aimed at predicting and analyzing the structural and functional properties of the persistence-associated secretory protein PaaX in Mycobacterium tuberculosis(M.tb),identifying its interacting partners,and elucidating its biological roles.Bioinformatics analysis revealed that PaaX comprises 240 amino acids with a molecular mass of 26.54 kDa(C1158H1866N354O334S14).The protein lacks transmembrane domains but contains a signal peptide.Its secondary structure is dominated by α-helices(53.33%),fol-lowed by random coils(36.25%)and extended strands(10.42%),thereby forming a homotetrameric spatial configuration.Potential PaaX-interacting proteins,including Rv0406c,EchA4,EchA5,HsaE,FadE8,LpqP,and End,were predicted.These candidate genes and the paaX gene were cloned into bacterial two-hybrid vectors and co-transformed into Escherichia coli BTH101 cells.Colony PCR and sequencing confirmed the accuracy of the recombinant constructs.Bacterial two-hybrid assays demonstrated direct interac-tions of PaaX with EchA4,HsaE,FadE8,and LpqP.Moreover,gradient dilution experiments indicated that the strongest binding af-finity occurred between PaaX and EchA4.AlphaFold 3 modeling further validated these interactions,thus providing high-confidence predictions of binding interfaces.Our findings revealed that PaaX,a secreted α-helix-rich protein,engages in specific interactions with key metabolic enzymes(EchA4,HsaE,and FadE8)and a lipoprotein(LpqP),thus suggesting its potential involvement in lipid metabolism,stress adaptation,and host-pathogen interactions.This study provides novel insights into PaaX's contribution to M.tb per-sistence and pathogenicity,and highlights its value as a potential target for tuberculosis diagnostics and therapeutic development.

This study was aimed at predicting and analyzing the structural and functional properties of the persistence-associated secretory protein PaaX in Mycobacterium tuberculosis(M.tb),identifying its interacting partners,and elucidating its biological roles.Bioinformatics analysis revealed that PaaX comprises 240 amino acids with a molecular mass of 26.54 kDa(C1158H1866N354O334S14).The protein lacks transmembrane domains but contains a signal peptide.Its secondary structure is dominated by α-helices(53.33%),fol-lowed by random coils(36.25%)and extended strands(10.42%),thereby forming a homotetrameric spatial configuration.Potential PaaX-interacting proteins,including Rv0406c,EchA4,EchA5,HsaE,FadE8,LpqP,and End,were predicted.These candidate genes and the paaX gene were cloned into bacterial two-hybrid vectors and co-transformed into Escherichia coli BTH101 cells.Colony PCR and sequencing confirmed the accuracy of the recombinant constructs.Bacterial two-hybrid assays demonstrated direct interac-tions of PaaX with EchA4,HsaE,FadE8,and LpqP.Moreover,gradient dilution experiments indicated that the strongest binding af-finity occurred between PaaX and EchA4.AlphaFold 3 modeling further validated these interactions,thus providing high-confidence predictions of binding interfaces.Our findings revealed that PaaX,a secreted α-helix-rich protein,engages in specific interactions with key metabolic enzymes(EchA4,HsaE,and FadE8)and a lipoprotein(LpqP),thus suggesting its potential involvement in lipid metabolism,stress adaptation,and host-pathogen interactions.This study provides novel insights into PaaX's contribution to M.tb per-sistence and pathogenicity,and highlights its value as a potential target for tuberculosis diagnostics and therapeutic development.

Objective To explore an accurate method to obtain an intraoral model of patients with specific limited mouth opening(microstomia)due to systemic scleroderma.Methods This study followed medical ethics,and informed consent has been obtained from patients.A case of Ken's Type Ⅰ mandibular dentition defect scleroderma with limited mouth opening was addressed with digital technology as the leading method combined with the traditional impression method of segmental impression.Individual trays were made based on the patient's left and right mandibular dentition,and segmented molds were obtained.Simultaneously,intraoral scanning was performed to obtain the morphological data of both the soft and hard tissues of the upper and lower mandibles.After each part of the model was obtained,the man-dibular model was scanned and digitally aligned to form the final denture model,and the final removable partial denture was designed and made by computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing(CAD/CAM)technology.At the same time,combined with the literature,the diagnosis and treatment of removable partial denture in patients with limited mouth opening were retrospectively analyzed.Results The denture was well retained and achieved a good repair ef-fect.The patients expressed satisfaction with the mastication efficiency and other functions of the denture.The findings of the literature review show that the integration of digital technology with the traditional impression method,along with computer fitting,can accurately obtain the patient's oral model and facilitate successful follow-up repairs.However,when the anterior mandibular dentition of the patient is absent,the margin of error is increased in this procedure,which deserves further exploration.Conclusion Utilizing digital technology as the leading method,combined with the tradi-tional impression method of segmental impression,for the repair of dental defects in patients with limited mouth open-ing,has proven to be effective.Thus,patients report a positive medical experience with high satisfaction,indicating that this approach is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To explore an accurate method to obtain an intraoral model of patients with specific limited mouth opening(microstomia)due to systemic scleroderma.Methods This study followed medical ethics,and informed consent has been obtained from patients.A case of Ken's Type Ⅰ mandibular dentition defect scleroderma with limited mouth opening was addressed with digital technology as the leading method combined with the traditional impression method of segmental impression.Individual trays were made based on the patient's left and right mandibular dentition,and segmented molds were obtained.Simultaneously,intraoral scanning was performed to obtain the morphological data of both the soft and hard tissues of the upper and lower mandibles.After each part of the model was obtained,the man-dibular model was scanned and digitally aligned to form the final denture model,and the final removable partial denture was designed and made by computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing(CAD/CAM)technology.At the same time,combined with the literature,the diagnosis and treatment of removable partial denture in patients with limited mouth opening were retrospectively analyzed.Results The denture was well retained and achieved a good repair ef-fect.The patients expressed satisfaction with the mastication efficiency and other functions of the denture.The findings of the literature review show that the integration of digital technology with the traditional impression method,along with computer fitting,can accurately obtain the patient's oral model and facilitate successful follow-up repairs.However,when the anterior mandibular dentition of the patient is absent,the margin of error is increased in this procedure,which deserves further exploration.Conclusion Utilizing digital technology as the leading method,combined with the tradi-tional impression method of segmental impression,for the repair of dental defects in patients with limited mouth open-ing,has proven to be effective.Thus,patients report a positive medical experience with high satisfaction,indicating that this approach is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective: To explore an accurate method to obtain an intraoral model of patients with specific limited mouth opening (microstomia) due to systemic scleroderma. Methods: This study followed medical ethics, and informed consent has been obtained from patients. A case of Ken's Type I mandibular dentition defect scleroderma with limited mouth opening was addressed with digital technology as the leading method combined with the traditional impression method of segmental impression. Individual trays were made based on the patient's left and right mandibular dentition, and segmented molds were obtained. Simultaneously, intraoral scanning was performed to obtain the morphological data of both the soft and hard tissues of the upper and lower mandibles. After each part of the model was obtained, the mandibular model was scanned and digitally aligned to form the final denture model, and the final removable partial denture was designed and made by computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology. At the same time, combined with the literature, the diagnosis and treatment of removable partial denture in patients with limited mouth opening were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The denture was well retained and achieved a good repair effect. The patients expressed satisfaction with the mastication efficiency and other functions of the denture. The findings of the literature review show that the integration of digital technology with the traditional impression method, along with computer fitting, can accurately obtain the patient's oral model and facilitate successful follow-up repairs. However, when the anterior mandibular dentition of the patient is absent, the margin of error is increased in this procedure, which deserves further exploration. Conclusion Utilizing digital technology as the leading method, combined with the traditional impression method of segmental impression, for the repair of dental defects in patients with limited mouth opening, has proven to be effective. Thus, patients report a positive medical experience with high satisfaction, indicating that this approach is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To explore an accurate method to obtain an intraoral model of patients with specific limited mouth opening(microstomia)due to systemic scleroderma.Methods This study followed medical ethics,and informed consent has been obtained from patients.A case of Ken's Type Ⅰ mandibular dentition defect scleroderma with limited mouth opening was addressed with digital technology as the leading method combined with the traditional impression method of segmental impression.Individual trays were made based on the patient's left and right mandibular dentition,and segmented molds were obtained.Simultaneously,intraoral scanning was performed to obtain the morphological data of both the soft and hard tissues of the upper and lower mandibles.After each part of the model was obtained,the man-dibular model was scanned and digitally aligned to form the final denture model,and the final removable partial denture was designed and made by computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing(CAD/CAM)technology.At the same time,combined with the literature,the diagnosis and treatment of removable partial denture in patients with limited mouth opening were retrospectively analyzed.Results The denture was well retained and achieved a good repair ef-fect.The patients expressed satisfaction with the mastication efficiency and other functions of the denture.The findings of the literature review show that the integration of digital technology with the traditional impression method,along with computer fitting,can accurately obtain the patient's oral model and facilitate successful follow-up repairs.However,when the anterior mandibular dentition of the patient is absent,the margin of error is increased in this procedure,which deserves further exploration.Conclusion Utilizing digital technology as the leading method,combined with the tradi-tional impression method of segmental impression,for the repair of dental defects in patients with limited mouth open-ing,has proven to be effective.Thus,patients report a positive medical experience with high satisfaction,indicating that this approach is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To explore an accurate method to obtain an intraoral model of patients with specific limited mouth opening(microstomia)due to systemic scleroderma.Methods This study followed medical ethics,and informed consent has been obtained from patients.A case of Ken's Type Ⅰ mandibular dentition defect scleroderma with limited mouth opening was addressed with digital technology as the leading method combined with the traditional impression method of segmental impression.Individual trays were made based on the patient's left and right mandibular dentition,and segmented molds were obtained.Simultaneously,intraoral scanning was performed to obtain the morphological data of both the soft and hard tissues of the upper and lower mandibles.After each part of the model was obtained,the man-dibular model was scanned and digitally aligned to form the final denture model,and the final removable partial denture was designed and made by computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing(CAD/CAM)technology.At the same time,combined with the literature,the diagnosis and treatment of removable partial denture in patients with limited mouth opening were retrospectively analyzed.Results The denture was well retained and achieved a good repair ef-fect.The patients expressed satisfaction with the mastication efficiency and other functions of the denture.The findings of the literature review show that the integration of digital technology with the traditional impression method,along with computer fitting,can accurately obtain the patient's oral model and facilitate successful follow-up repairs.However,when the anterior mandibular dentition of the patient is absent,the margin of error is increased in this procedure,which deserves further exploration.Conclusion Utilizing digital technology as the leading method,combined with the tradi-tional impression method of segmental impression,for the repair of dental defects in patients with limited mouth open-ing,has proven to be effective.Thus,patients report a positive medical experience with high satisfaction,indicating that this approach is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To explore an accurate method to obtain an intraoral model of patients with specific limited mouth opening(microstomia)due to systemic scleroderma.Methods This study followed medical ethics,and informed consent has been obtained from patients.A case of Ken's Type Ⅰ mandibular dentition defect scleroderma with limited mouth opening was addressed with digital technology as the leading method combined with the traditional impression method of segmental impression.Individual trays were made based on the patient's left and right mandibular dentition,and segmented molds were obtained.Simultaneously,intraoral scanning was performed to obtain the morphological data of both the soft and hard tissues of the upper and lower mandibles.After each part of the model was obtained,the man-dibular model was scanned and digitally aligned to form the final denture model,and the final removable partial denture was designed and made by computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing(CAD/CAM)technology.At the same time,combined with the literature,the diagnosis and treatment of removable partial denture in patients with limited mouth opening were retrospectively analyzed.Results The denture was well retained and achieved a good repair ef-fect.The patients expressed satisfaction with the mastication efficiency and other functions of the denture.The findings of the literature review show that the integration of digital technology with the traditional impression method,along with computer fitting,can accurately obtain the patient's oral model and facilitate successful follow-up repairs.However,when the anterior mandibular dentition of the patient is absent,the margin of error is increased in this procedure,which deserves further exploration.Conclusion Utilizing digital technology as the leading method,combined with the tradi-tional impression method of segmental impression,for the repair of dental defects in patients with limited mouth open-ing,has proven to be effective.Thus,patients report a positive medical experience with high satisfaction,indicating that this approach is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To explore an accurate method to obtain an intraoral model of patients with specific limited mouth opening(microstomia)due to systemic scleroderma.Methods This study followed medical ethics,and informed consent has been obtained from patients.A case of Ken's Type Ⅰ mandibular dentition defect scleroderma with limited mouth opening was addressed with digital technology as the leading method combined with the traditional impression method of segmental impression.Individual trays were made based on the patient's left and right mandibular dentition,and segmented molds were obtained.Simultaneously,intraoral scanning was performed to obtain the morphological data of both the soft and hard tissues of the upper and lower mandibles.After each part of the model was obtained,the man-dibular model was scanned and digitally aligned to form the final denture model,and the final removable partial denture was designed and made by computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing(CAD/CAM)technology.At the same time,combined with the literature,the diagnosis and treatment of removable partial denture in patients with limited mouth opening were retrospectively analyzed.Results The denture was well retained and achieved a good repair ef-fect.The patients expressed satisfaction with the mastication efficiency and other functions of the denture.The findings of the literature review show that the integration of digital technology with the traditional impression method,along with computer fitting,can accurately obtain the patient's oral model and facilitate successful follow-up repairs.However,when the anterior mandibular dentition of the patient is absent,the margin of error is increased in this procedure,which deserves further exploration.Conclusion Utilizing digital technology as the leading method,combined with the tradi-tional impression method of segmental impression,for the repair of dental defects in patients with limited mouth open-ing,has proven to be effective.Thus,patients report a positive medical experience with high satisfaction,indicating that this approach is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To explore an accurate method to obtain an intraoral model of patients with specific limited mouth opening(microstomia)due to systemic scleroderma.Methods This study followed medical ethics,and informed consent has been obtained from patients.A case of Ken's Type Ⅰ mandibular dentition defect scleroderma with limited mouth opening was addressed with digital technology as the leading method combined with the traditional impression method of segmental impression.Individual trays were made based on the patient's left and right mandibular dentition,and segmented molds were obtained.Simultaneously,intraoral scanning was performed to obtain the morphological data of both the soft and hard tissues of the upper and lower mandibles.After each part of the model was obtained,the man-dibular model was scanned and digitally aligned to form the final denture model,and the final removable partial denture was designed and made by computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing(CAD/CAM)technology.At the same time,combined with the literature,the diagnosis and treatment of removable partial denture in patients with limited mouth opening were retrospectively analyzed.Results The denture was well retained and achieved a good repair ef-fect.The patients expressed satisfaction with the mastication efficiency and other functions of the denture.The findings of the literature review show that the integration of digital technology with the traditional impression method,along with computer fitting,can accurately obtain the patient's oral model and facilitate successful follow-up repairs.However,when the anterior mandibular dentition of the patient is absent,the margin of error is increased in this procedure,which deserves further exploration.Conclusion Utilizing digital technology as the leading method,combined with the tradi-tional impression method of segmental impression,for the repair of dental defects in patients with limited mouth open-ing,has proven to be effective.Thus,patients report a positive medical experience with high satisfaction,indicating that this approach is worthy of clinical promotion.